By Ayodele Oni
Public anger and outrage have prompted the arrest of four police officers in Ogun State over a viral video showing the officers pinning a handcuffed young man to the ground and attempting to force him into a commercial minibus.
The incident reportedly occurred in the Ijagba area of Sango-Ota, within the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The footage, which circulated on social media, showed the officers restraining the young man as he struggled on the ground.
Residents gathered at the scene and challenged the officers over their treatment of him.
A voice heard in the video alleged that the young man was being arrested for wearing camouflage shorts. The allegation prompted questions from people at the scene about the officers’ conduct and the circumstances surrounding the encounter.
However, the reason for the attempted arrest has not been independently established in the available reports, and the police have not publicly confirmed that the clothing was the reason for the encounter.
The video showed officers pinning the man to the ground before handcuffing him. The footage also captured residents confronting the officers and demanding that the handcuffs be removed.
One woman was heard questioning the officers’ treatment of the young man, while another voice called for help.
The crowd’s intervention reportedly led to a heated exchange between residents and the officers, after which the young man was released.
The woman who recorded the incident also alleged that the officers threatened to arrest her for filming them. That allegation has not been independently verified.
The video sparked public criticism and prompted the Ogun State Police Command to take action against the officers involved.
In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that the officers had been identified following an order by the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni.
Disciplinary procedures have also been initiated to establish the facts of the incident and determine the appropriate action.
Ojajuni ordered a thorough and impartial investigation, stressing the command’s commitment to professional discipline, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.
The police commissioner also assured the public that any misconduct established by the investigation would be addressed in accordance with established regulations. He said the process would be guided by evidence and due process.
The command thanked members of the public for bringing the footage to its attention and urged anyone with credible, first-hand information about the incident to cooperate with investigators.
It also cautioned against speculation and the circulation of unverified claims that could prejudice the investigation.
The Ogun incident comes days after police officers in Ekiti were moved to the Force Headquarters in Abuja to face disciplinary proceedings over a viral video in which an officer allegedly threatened an okada rider during a confrontation over a reported ₦20,000 demand .
The rider’s complaint had prompted an investigation into allegations of extortion and intimidation.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the encounter and determine whether the officers breached police regulations.
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