The Edo State Police Command has confirmed that the officers who were caught on video vandalising a vehicle in Benin City, the state capital, are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Moses Yamu, the incident occurred during a rescue operation carried out on May 20.
The operation was launched after a group of police personnel from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who were in transit from Lagos through Edo State, came under attack by some protesting youths in Okhuimwun community, within Benin Kingdom, Ovia Northeast Local Government Area.
CSP Yamu explained that a reinforcement team was immediately deployed to the scene of the attack to rescue the embattled IRT officers. The backup team successfully secured the release of the officers and apprehended several individuals allegedly involved in the assault.
However, during the rescue operation, some members of the police reinforcement team were recorded behaving in an unprofessional and violent manner. In a widely circulated video, officers were seen smashing a vehicle parked at the scene.
“The Command, while strongly condemning the unprovoked attack on its IRT personnel, also views the actions of its officers during the rescue mission as highly unprofessional,” Yamu stated.
He further disclosed that the erring officers, who have been identified as members of the Edo State Command’s Quick Response Team, have since been arrested. They are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures in accordance with police regulations.
The Edo State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to maintaining professional conduct among its personnel and ensuring that all officers found guilty of misconduct face appropriate disciplinary action.