Police Probe Viral Video of Officer Beaten By Mob Over Alleged Theft
The Lagos State Police Command has opened an investigation into a viral video showing a uniformed officer being assaulted by a mob over an allegation of stealing.
The video, which began circulating on Wednesday, showed the officer with blood dripping from his mouth as he sat on the ground surrounded by an angry crowd.
The officer, visibly distressed and pleading, appeared helpless as dozens of onlookers filmed the incident on their phones.
While voices in the background repeatedly accused him of theft, the exact offence was still unclear at the time of filing this report.
A second officer was seen attempting to intervene, pushing through the crowd in a bid to rescue his colleague.
The mob continued chanting “Ole!” (Thief) in Yoruba as commercial vehicles and tricycles slowed down around the scene.
A yellow commercial bus with the inscription “Ayedade” was captured in the footage, suggesting the incident took place in a busy Lagos area.
Reacting to the video, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said the command had begun efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and confirm the officer’s identity.
Adebisi wrote on X, “The command has seen the viral video. We are investigating to determine the full circumstances and confirm the identity of the officer Updates will follow soon.”
The Nigerian Police Force has repeatedly urged the public to desist from mob justice, stressing that allegations against civilians or security operatives must be handled lawfully.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
