Inspector Beaten in Viral Video Was Enforcing Parking Ban, Not Stealing — Lagos Police

Inspector Beaten in Viral Video Was Enforcing Parking Ban, Not Stealing — Lagos Police

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed viral social media claims alleging that a police inspector seen being assaulted in a trending video was caught stealing, clarifying that the officer was attacked while carrying out his official duties.

In a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebesi, described the captions circulated with the footage as “false and misleading,” stressing that the incident had been widely misrepresented online.

According to the Command, the officer is attached to the Lagos State Taskforce and was enforcing the state’s ban on illegal parking along Brown Street, Oshodi, when the confrontation erupted. The inspector had stopped a motorist attempting to park unlawfully, but the situation escalated after the driver became violent.

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During the altercation, the officer accidentally discharged shots into the road, and debris from the impact injured some passersby. The commotion drew a mob, which descended on the inspector and inflicted serious injuries.

While noting that the officer is currently undergoing disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct, the police confirmed the arrest of 13 suspects identified in the viral video. Those arrested include: Dele Oriade (39), Adekunle Olalere (40), Mudashiru Olamilekan (28), Anayo Achusie (34), Joshua Enwonyin (24), Okoro Okechukwu (26), Rilwan Lateef (32), Damilare Odebode (22), Haruna Aleshi (25), Sodiq Omoniyi (26), Chukwudi Patience (25), Godstime Okafor (26), and Chinedu Divine (29). They will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.

The Lagos Commissioner of Police condemned the inspector’s conduct but issued a stern warning against attacks on law enforcement personnel performing lawful duties, stressing that such assaults are criminal offences.

The Command urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation, and continue cooperating with security agencies to maintain peace and order across the state.

Inspector Beaten in Viral Video Was Enforcing Parking Ban, Not Stealing — Lagos Police