By Idowu Adebomi
The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested and detained a police officer captured in a viral video allegedly behaving as if under the influence of illicit drugs while in uniform.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, who said the officer has since been identified, taken into custody, and subjected to internal disciplinary procedures.
According to the statement, the officer, a Police Sergeant serving at the Ikole-Ekiti Divisional Police Headquarters, was seen in a disturbing video circulating on social media acting erratically while dressed in a camouflage uniform.
Upon noticing the video, the Command noted that it swung into action, identified the officer, and took him into custody.
The Command added that the officer is now in stable condition and will undergo disciplinary procedures in line with police regulations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Micheal, also ordered that the officer be subjected to psychological and medical evaluation ahead of further disciplinary action.
Police authorities stressed that the conduct displayed in the video does not reflect the professional standards and discipline of the Nigeria Police Force.
Meanwhile, the Command has dismissed allegations circulating on social media claiming that officers at the Ikole Divisional Police Headquarters arrested and extorted residents for sharing the video.
The allegations suggested that individuals were asked to pay between ₦20,000 and ₦200,000 for bail.
However, the police described these claims as false and misleading, stating that preliminary investigations showed no one was arrested for sharing the footage.
The Command further clarified that four suspects recently arrested by the Ikole Division were apprehended in connection with the alleged sale of illicit drugs, with exhibits recovered from them.
These suspects were investigated and subsequently charged to court. Nevertheless, the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the extortion allegations to uncover any underlying issues.
