The Imo State Police Commissioner, Muhammed Barde, has issued an order for the immediate arrest of a police inspector who was caught on video slapping a motorist along a road in Owerri, the state capital.
The incident, which occurred in Owerri, drew widespread condemnation from Nigerians who described the act as inhumane treatment of the victim.
Responding to calls for the arrest of the officer, Commissioner Barde swiftly ordered the identification and apprehension of the erring cop.
In a statement released by the State’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Henry Okoye, on Wednesday, CP Barde expressed strong disapproval of the unprofessional behavior displayed by the police personnel.
The statement read, “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Muhammed Ahmed Barde condemns this irritating act in totality as it highly contradicts the professional ethics and code of conduct of the Force. The Nigeria Police Force is a highly disciplined organization and will never tolerate the misconduct of the officer seen in the video.”
In light of this, Commissioner Barde tasked his Monitoring Team with investigating and identifying the officer for appropriate disciplinary measures. The victim was also encouraged to report the incident to the Imo State Police Public Relations Department.
A few hours later on the same Wednesday, an update from the police spokesman confirmed that the erring police inspector had been identified and taken into custody.
Okoye announced that the inspector was undergoing an orderly room trial to determine the appropriate disciplinary action.
“The recalcitrant Inspector has been identified; he is currently undergoing orderly room trial after which necessary disciplinary action will be taken against him,” said the police spokesman.
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