[TRENDING VIDEO] ‘If you were Igbo, I would have detained you,’ outrage as Police officer’s remark in video sparks calls for probe
A viral video showing a police officer making a tribal remark during a stop-and-search operation has sparked widespread outrage and calls for an investigation.
In the video, a motorist identified as a UK returnee was stopped at a police checkpoint while travelling on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway towards Akure. He presented his vehicle documents, including customs papers and his driver’s licence, to the officer.
Although the officer returned the vehicle documents, he reportedly retained the motorist’s driver’s licence while telling him to “go and do better things.” When the motorist said he had no money, the officer allegedly demanded the waybill for the luggage in the vehicle.
The officer then reportedly said: “I just see that we are very close. If you were Igbo or another person, I would have just…” before gesturing towards the roadside.
The comment has triggered strong reactions on social media, with many Nigerians demanding an investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
Click the link to watch the video.
Human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, in a post on X, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to investigate the incident.
“Dear IGP Disu (@TunjiDisu1): Kindly investigate this incident where, during a stop & search, the policeman identified here allegedly said to a citizen: ‘If you were Igbo, I would’ve detained you’. Such remark constitutes a hate crime that portends danger to all Igbos in Nigeria.”
Former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, also reacted to the video, writing: “..and these folks are uniformed & armed?!”
Another user, @Justice_Crack, wrote: “Imagine the misconduct of the Nigeria Police Force. Not just misconduct, but tribalism as well.”
@Derah_Snr said: “Such tribal remarks from a police officer during a routine stop and search demand urgent investigation to protect every citizen’s dignity and safety.”
@KingByronX noted: “‘If you were Igbo…’ Statements like this don’t just offend one person. They quietly teach millions of Nigerians what to expect from the institutions meant to protect them.”
Meanwhile, @BabaYagaSE offered practical advice to motorists, saying: “The bigotry and profiling aside, never hand over your original driver’s licence to the police. Always move around with a clear photocopy, preferably in colour.”
The Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.