The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Edebor, has ordered the arrest of policemen captured in a viral video assaulting a tricycle rider in Yenagoa.
The footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed the rider standing beside his tricycle while lamenting that some policemen had been chasing him.
He said he had earlier explained to the officers that he was unwell and on his way to treat himself.
Moments later, the officers appeared at the scene and initially confronted a resident who was recording the incident, ordering the person to stop filming and insisting that there was no right to record them.
The video then showed the officers turning on the tricycle rider, who could be heard pleading with them and promising to “bring the money.”
One of the officers threatened to punch the rider and shoved him to the ground. The policemen were also heard issuing threats as they assaulted him.
The footage further showed the officers forcing the rider into a nearby bush, where he was repeatedly beaten, stomped on with boots and struck with a tyre before the officers left the area.
After they departed, the visibly injured rider was seen explaining the incident to residents who had witnessed the assault. He reiterated that he was sick and had told the officers he did not have money.
A voice off-camera suggested the attack might have been linked to issues with his driver’s licence. The rider also alleged that the officers removed items from his tricycle, including tyres.
Reacting to the footage, the command said the conduct of the officers was unacceptable and against policing standards.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed on Saturday, said, “The attention of the Bayelsa State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video making the rounds on social media platforms, allegedly showing Police officers assaulting a tricycle (keke) driver.
“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, psc, IICFIP, foosi, has condemned the act in strong terms, describing it as unacceptable and contrary to professional policing standards. He reiterates that the Command does not tolerate any form of human rights violation, unprofessional conduct or brutality.”
The command stressed that it had taken immediate action against the officers involved.
The statement read, “The officers involved have been arrested and disciplinary proceedings has since commenced in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act and other extant regulations.”
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