By Ade Oyeyemi
The Lagos State Police Command has identified an inspector captured in a viral video making controversial political and ethnic remarks about the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The officer was identified as Osumah Frank, following the circulation of the video in which he was heard commenting on Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition and the possibility of an Igbo person becoming President of Nigeria.
The command also said it had commenced disciplinary proceedings against the officer in accordance with the regulations governing personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
According to the command, the comments made by Frank were his personal views and should not be regarded as representing the official position of either the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.
“The command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force,” Adebisi said.
The development followed a video that gained widespread attention on social media after the officer, while apparently travelling in a public vehicle, made remarks about Obi and the 2027 presidential contest.
In the footage, the officer was heard saying that Obi or an Igbo person could not become President of Nigeria, while also making other political comments concerning President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The remarks generated reactions largely because the speaker appeared to be wearing a police uniform while discussing partisan political issues and making comments concerning an ethnic group.
The Lagos command stressed that police officers are expected to maintain professionalism and discipline in their dealings with members of the public.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Tijani Fatai, reiterated that personnel of the command must uphold civility, professionalism and respect for the public at all times.
“Wearing the Police uniform comes with the responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force,” the command stated.
It added that conduct capable of damaging public confidence in the police would not be tolerated.
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“The command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police,” the statement added.
The disciplinary process will determine the appropriate action against the inspector under the applicable regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.
