The Delta State Police Command has announced the arrest of two men captured in a viral video, where they were seen smoking a substance suspected to be marijuana while sitting on a police patrol van and making obscene gestures at officers.
The suspects, identified as 34-year-old Patrick Junior Asini and 20-year-old Tega Ojo, were apprehended after the controversial footage gained traction on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). The video, originally posted by user @dammiedammie35, provoked widespread condemnation from the public and prompted swift intervention by the police authorities.
In the now-viral clip, one of the men is visibly perched on a police patrol van marked “Nigeria Police Force Anti-Crime Patrol, Oghara Division,” while appearing to smoke a substance believed to be cannabis. Another voice, seemingly from someone behind the camera, is heard saying, “Tell them, f*** the cops, bro. Pass me some weed, man,” while making an obscene hand gesture in the direction of a police officer.
The incident reportedly occurred at a car wash, though the precise location and date of the video have not been confirmed.
Reacting to the footage, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, took to his official X account on Thursday to confirm that the individuals had been tracked and taken into custody. “The two suspects, Patrick Junior Asini (34) and Tega Ojo (20), featured in the viral video, have been arrested. The following exhibits were recovered from them,” Edafe announced.
A search conducted by the police led to the discovery of various incriminating items in the suspects’ possession. These included an army camouflage uniform (khaki), a green beret, a face mask, an axe, a cutlass, six mobile phones, four laptop computers, quantities of weed, weed crushers (grinders), and Rizla rolling papers — materials commonly linked to the use of marijuana.
SP Edafe emphasized the Delta State Command’s dedication to upholding law and order and used the opportunity to address the public’s perception of the police. “Police is your friend. It just depends on how you interpret it,” he stated, calling for mutual respect between citizens and law enforcement.
The arrest underscores the police’s commitment to curbing drug-related offenses and restoring public confidence, especially in cases where misconduct is openly displayed and shared on social media.