Police Detain 4 Officers Over Viral Ethnic Profiling Video on Lagos–Benin Expressway

Ondo State Police Command arrests ASP and three Inspectors after footage sparks nationwide outrage over alleged ethnically offensive remarks and extortion attempt

The Ondo State Police Command has taken four police officers into custody following widespread public condemnation over a viral video that allegedly captured them making ethnically offensive remarks during a stop-and-search operation on the busy Lagos–Benin Expressway. The footage, which surfaced online on Friday, shows a heated exchange between the officers and a motorist believed to be a United Kingdom returnee, with the driver challenging the officers’ attempt to stop and search his vehicle and accusing them of intimidation, ethnic profiling, and attempting to extort money from him. The confrontation escalated after one of the officers allegedly told the driver that he would have been detained if he were of Igbo extraction—a statement that has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians across social media platforms and reignited calls for police accountability and disciplinary action against erring officers.

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Speaking with journalists in Akure on Friday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed that the officers seen in the video have been identified and arrested on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, with the detained officers identified as ASP Elomore Sodayo, Inspector Adefila Adewale, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and Inspector Odusola Peter. Jimoh further stated that the Commissioner has ordered a comprehensive investigation to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine the level of culpability of each officer involved, ensuring that no aspect of the encounter is left unexamined.

In his statement, Jimoh emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined and professional institution that does not tolerate any form of misconduct, incivility, or actions capable of undermining public confidence or promoting ethnic division, adding that officers are expected at all times to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism, respect for human dignity, and in strict compliance with the Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures. He further assured the public that the investigation would be handled with fairness, transparency, and accountability, stressing that any officer found to have acted contrary to the ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law and established disciplinary procedures.

The Ondo State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led, community-focused policing and encouraged residents to report cases of police misconduct through the appropriate complaint channels, as the incident has once again brought the issue of ethnic profiling and police brutality in Nigeria to the forefront, with many Nigerians calling for systemic reforms within the force to prevent future occurrences and restore public trust in law enforcement institutions.

Police Detain 4 Officers Over Viral Ethnic Profiling Video on Lagos–Benin Expressway

Midnight Disaster on Kara Bridge: FRSC Launches Massive Rescue, Diverts Motorists After Fatal Crashes

A night of tragedy unfolded on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the early hours of Friday after multiple road crashes involving five articulated trucks, a Toyota Sienna and a commercial bus claimed one life, left two persons injured and triggered a massive emergency rescue operation that forced the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to divert motorists to alternative routes.

The crashes, which occurred on both the outbound and inbound carriageways of the expressway, caused major traffic disruption as rescue workers battled to recover the body of a victim trapped beneath one of the overturned trucks and clear the wreckage from the busy highway.

According to the FRSC, the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound lane towards Ibadan and involved five articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna.

Preliminary investigation by the Corps attributed the crash to excessive speed and loss of control.

Seven adult males were involved in the accident. One person died, another sustained injuries, while five others escaped unhurt.

The FRSC disclosed that recovery efforts were complicated because the body of the deceased remained trapped beneath one of the heavily loaded trucks, making it necessary to deploy heavy-duty recovery equipment before evacuation could be completed.

The statement announcing the traffic advisory and rescue operations was signed by SRC Elizabeth Oluwadamilola Jayeola, Sector Public Education Officer, FRSC Lagos Sector Command.

While emergency responders were still battling the first accident, another crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos.

The second incident involved a Mazda commercial bus and was traced to brake failure. The driver sustained serious injuries and was rescued by FRSC personnel before being taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment.

The FRSC said its rescue teams, working alongside the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other emergency responders, were making frantic efforts to remove the crashed vehicles, recover the trapped victim and restore free flow of traffic.

Lagos Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander, Kehinde Ganiyu Hamzat, sympathised with the families of the victims and appealed to motorists to remain patient, obey traffic officials and cooperate with emergency responders while the recovery operation continues.

He advised motorists to avoid the Kara-Ojodu Berger corridor where possible and use alternative routes to minimise delays.

According to him, motorists travelling from Lagos towards Ibadan should divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road, while those heading into Lagos should consider the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.

The Corps also reminded drivers, particularly operators of articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on any journey, with special attention to braking systems.

It further cautioned motorists against unnecessary night travel, urging those who must travel at night to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, avoid dangerous overtaking and take adequate rest to minimise fatigue.

US Condemns Killing of Pastor Dachomo’s Family Members in Plateau, Demands Justice

The United States government has strongly condemned the killing of nine members of the family of Plateau-based cleric, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, describing the attack as “horrific” and a disturbing reminder of the persistent violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

In a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs on Thursday, Washington expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and urged the Nigerian government to bring those responsible for the killings to justice while taking urgent steps to improve security in affected communities. “The United States strongly condemns the horrific killing of members of Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo’s family in Plateau State, Nigeria. The continued violence targeting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt is deeply alarming,” the statement said. The U.S. government added, “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and all those affected. As I discussed last week with Nigerian officials, we must do more to prevent violent acts like those yesterday. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and urgent action is needed to strengthen security and protect Christians and other vulnerable communities.” A State Department spokesperson, in a separate statement to Fox News Digital, described the violence as “a shocking level of violence against Christians in the Middle Belt committed by Fulani ethnic militia.”

The condemnation follows the killing of nine members of Rev. Dachomo’s extended family by suspected gunmen in Kum village, Rim District of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on the night of July 11, 2026. According to survivors, the attackers stormed the family compound at about 11:30 p.m. and specifically demanded to know the whereabouts of the cleric, who is popularly known as “Dara,” a Berom title meaning “father.” The assailants reportedly told members of the household, “today you will learn a hard lesson,” before opening fire. The victims, all members of the James family, were identified as Celina James (38), Yohanna James (21), Janet Yohanna (18), three-month-old Jenifer Yohanna, Sele James (18), Melody James (16), Rito James (10), Endurance James (8), and Peace James (3). The only known survivor, Pam Yohanna, sustained injuries and was taken to a medical facility for treatment.

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Rev. Dachomo, the Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) for Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, disclosed during a mass burial for the victims that this was not the first time members of his family had been targeted and killed by Islamist extremists. He recalled that his own grandmother was killed with her heart cut out by attackers, while one of his uncles was also butchered with his tongue removed. According to Dachomo, the attacks against his relatives became more frequent after he began speaking publicly about what he described as the ongoing genocide in Plateau State, insisting that he had taken it upon himself to draw global attention to the violence affecting communities in the region. “We are here once again to conduct another mass burial for our people, and once again, all these victims are members of my family, my own blood. And they will say there is no genocide in Plateau State,” he lamented. The cleric also revealed that he had received a threatening letter from the attackers, written in both Hausa and English, warning that he would soon be attacked and killed. He said copies of the letter had been handed over to security agencies. Despite the repeated loss of loved ones, Dachomo said he had chosen the path of forgiveness, rooted in his Christian faith. “Yes, Fulani killers, I have forgiven you for this murder of my family members,” he stated.

The US government’s condemnation comes amid growing scrutiny from American lawmakers over Nigeria’s response to religious violence. US Senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian officials of responding to the persecution of Christians by launching a public relations campaign instead of addressing the underlying security and religious freedom issues. “Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities,” Cruz wrote on X. He alleged that rather than addressing concerns raised by the United States, Nigerian authorities chose to engage in a PR campaign, adding that he had been pushing a bill to sanction Nigerian officials responsible for such policies. The criticism follows disclosures that the Federal Government retained a US lobbying firm under a reported $9 million contract to strengthen engagement with US policymakers over allegations of attacks on Christian communities. According to documents filed under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, the firm was engaged through Aster Legal on behalf of the Office of the National Security Adviser. Meanwhile, a US-based missionary and founder of Building Zion, Alex Barbir, also condemned the killings, alleging that nine relatives of Dachomo were “hunted and slaughtered” by terrorists. “These are the realities our Nigerian brothers and sisters are facing alone. The church is absent. International community is absent. They are being hunted and slaughtered like animals and we in the West are simply watching,” Barbir wrote on X. Authorities have yet to announce any arrests in connection with the killings in Kum village.

US Condemns Killing of Pastor Dachomo’s Family Members in Plateau, Demands Justice