The Nigeria Police Force has commenced a full investigation into allegations of misconduct and attempted extortion involving officers of the Satellite Town Division in Lagos, following the resurfacing of a viral video online.
The Force also confirmed that all officers shown in the video have been identified and summoned for questioning as part of internal disciplinary procedures.
According to the police, preliminary findings indicate that the incident, which recently gained renewed attention on social media, originally occurred in May 2025.
This was disclosed in a statement posted on X by the Police Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, on Saturday, where he explained that the command acted immediately once the video resurfaced online.
He wrote, “We saw the video, we acted, and here is where things stand. When (Rhapstar) posted the viral video on 4 April 2026, alleging misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos, we took the matter seriously and acted immediately.”
Giwa said the Divisional Police Officer and other officers involved had already been summoned, while statements were taken and interviews conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The DPO and the officers involved were summoned, statements were obtained, and detailed interviews were conducted. Preliminary findings indicate the incident occurred in May 2025,” he added.
He explained that the investigation process also involves reaching out to the complainants and individuals seen in the video, stressing that their accounts remain critical to establishing a full picture of what transpired.
“We are working to obtain additional details directly from the victims, as their accounts are central to the investigation,” he said.
The media officer emphasised that the matter is not being treated lightly and rejected any suggestion of cover-up, insisting that the Force remains committed to accountability and transparency.
“This process is not a cover-up; it is a demonstration of accountability,” Giwa stated.
He further reiterated that disciplinary procedures within the Force apply to all officers regardless of rank or time of incident, adding that past cases can still be investigated when new evidence emerges.
“No officer is above accountability, and no incident is too old to investigate. The investigation is ongoing. We will provide regular updates,” he said.
Giwa also commended members of the public for bringing attention to the incident, noting that citizen engagement continues to play an important role in improving police accountability.
“To every Nigerian who spoke up, your voice prompted accountability, as it should be,” he added.
In the viral video, the individual was seen recording himself, and his friend encounter with police officers along a roadside in Satellite Town, Lagos, while insisting on his right to document the interaction.
The footage showed officers conducting a stop-and-search operation, during which they requested to search their car and their belongings, including the bags they were carrying at the time. The situation reportedly escalated after initial questioning.
During the encounter, the officers were seen directing them to move away from the vehicle they were in and relocate to the opposite side of the road, where the stop-and-search engagement continued.
The move raised further tension in the video as the complainant questioned the reason for being taken away from the roadside to what he described as a less visible location.
Throughout the interaction, the recorder repeatedly stated that the engagement was being filmed, emphasising that his phone camera remained active as the officers proceeded with the search.
At several points, one of the officers was heard using abusive and confrontational language in Pidgin English, while another officer continued searching through the complainant’s bags during the encounter.
