Police launch investigation into viral video alleging officers assaulted jewellery trader in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has commenced an investigation into a viral video showing police officers allegedly assaulting a man identified as a jewellery trader.
In the video circulating online, the man, who introduced himself as a gold seller and owner of Anasquan Jewellery, alleged that he was stopped by police officers while returning from a delivery near the Mile 2 bus stop in Lagos.
He claimed the officers searched his bag and found a pocket scale and a piece of gold, which he said were equipment used for his jewellery business.
According to him, the officers accused him of using the scale to weigh cannabis despite his explanation that it was meant for measuring gold.
“They said they want to search my bag. I was very confident because I believe there’s nothing illegal in my bag,” he narrated.
“So, I showed them my bag. So, they saw this pocket scale that we normally use to scale gold. So, they said, what am I using this scale to do? So, I said, okay, I use it to scale gold. And I’m just coming back from a delivery.
“I showed them everything they needed to see. They said, no, I’m lying. They said I use it to scale igbo (cannabis).”
The trader alleged that the officers demanded that he follow them to a police station to “settle the matter”.
He said he declined because the officers were travelling in an unmarked vehicle popularly known as a “korope” and he questioned whether they were genuine police personnel.
“…The way they dressed, they don’t even look like policemen. And the korope, the bus where the guy came is unregistered. He has no licence, no plate number or anything for you to identify that this vehicle belongs to the Nigerian police force,” he added.
The man further alleged that the officers dragged him, attempted to force him into the vehicle and hit him in the face with a gun, causing an injury around his eye.
He appealed to members of the public to help draw attention to his case in order to seek justice.
Responding to the incident, the Lagos State Police Command said it had identified the officers involved and launched a formal investigation.
“The Lagos State Police Command has seen the video and has commenced an investigation into the incident,” the command stated in a post on its X handle.
“The officers involved have been identified as personnel attached to Area E Command. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, has directed the Area Commander to immediately produce the officers at the Command Headquarters for further investigation and appropriate action.”
- The police also urged the individual featured in the video to contact the Command’s Complaint Response Unit (CRU) through 09111111150 or 09111111151 to assist with the ongoing investigation.