One of the three police officers who harassed a man by slapping and beating him in Emuoha, Rivers State has been demoted from the rank of an Inspector to Sergeant in the Nigerian Police Force.
What Led to the Police Cautioning The Officers
On Sunday, 9th April 2023, some policemen were filmed and one Inspector Adejoh Siaka captured slapping and beating up a man who was returning from the church in the presence of his wife.
The widely circulated video then caught the attention of the Force and a follow-up orderly room trial of the affected policemen by the Force Provost Marshal took place.
The officers were charged with assault, discreditable conduct, and incivility to members of the public.
On his part, Sergeant Ndiwa Kpuebari who was also present at the scene but took no steps to discourage the inappropriate and shameful act was severely reprimanded.
A third officer, Inspector Friday Obaka, who was later discovered to have been absent from the scene of the skirmish was discharged unconditionally at the conclusion of the proceedings.
Reactions of the Inspector General of Police to the Matter
The IGP tasked officers and men of the Force to be diligent and uphold the lofty tenets of professional policing in the discharge of their duties.
He charged them to carry this out with respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).