A viral video showing a man dressed in police attire driving a commercial bus in Lagos State while allegedly threatening to kill passengers and dump their bodies in a river has sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter).
It was
gathered that the incident
occurred near Eko Bridge.
The disturbing video captured the
driver, wearing a police T-shirt and cap, exchanging words with passengers, who
were also heard cursing and insulting him.
One passenger said, ‘You said you wanted
to kill. You see what the Nigerian Police do. You are arguing with a full bus.
You want to throw us into the water.”
Some of the passengers threatened to
record him and post the video online, while the man responded, “See my face.”
According to an account of the incident
posted by X user Oyindamola, the driver became visibly aggressive when
passengers questioned the sudden stop of the bus.
“We were dropped in the middle of the
road because the driver wanted to buy fuel, without any proper explanation or
concern for our safety. When people understandably began to question what was
going on, instead of calming the situation, he became aggressive and started
issuing threats, saying he would kill us and dump our bodies into the water
near Eko Bridge,” the post read.
Reacting on Tuesday, the NPF New Media
Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, confirmed that the force is reviewing the footage.
Giwa noted that while the man was
wearing items labelled “NPF/Police,” he was not in a standard police uniform.
He added that the individual’s status as a serving police officer is yet to be
verified.
“Our attention has been drawn to a video
circulating online concerning the alleged actions of an individual in Lagos.
“Initial observations show the
individual is not in a standard police uniform but is wearing items labelled
‘NPF/Police.’ His status as a serving officer remains unconfirmed.
“Such behaviour is unprofessional, and
any conduct that threatens or intimidates citizens is unacceptable.
“We encourage anyone with credible
information to assist in identifying the individual by contacting the nearest
police station or using official Nigeria Police Force channels.
“The matter is under review, and
appropriate action will be taken based on the facts,” he said.
Meanwhile, following the viral video,
Nigerians across social media platforms have demanded the driver’s arrest while
criticising what they described as police high-handedness.
An X user, @Luckylef_, wrote, “This is
wrong in all ramifications. Even if you have a car or bus and you decide to use
it for a personal or side hustle, you should be in full mufti and not in any
branded uniform or cap of the Nigerian police.”
Another user, @BADMANGADAn6, wrote: “The
day the Nigeria Police Force decides to start dealing with its men who misuse
power on innocent civilians is the day this nonsense will stop. Prosecute your
men and let them know where their power stops—not on innocent civilians but on
actual criminals.”
“Let’s see if something will actually be
done concerning this one. This is not the first time officers have harassed and
put the lives of citizens in danger. You’d say something will be done, and in
the end, nothing is done,” @Mhidesticks added on X.
On Facebook, Ayoade Aderinkola wrote:
“The Nigeria Police should respect themselves and their profession. They behave
as if they are above the law. They lack discipline and are only smart at
collecting bribes.”
“There are many like that who drive
commercial buses in Lagos, whether off duty or after their daily service. Some
even use bikes to convey people to make money,” another Facebook user, Abiola
Akintola, also wrote.
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