The Ondo State police command has arrested four police officers seen in a viral video making unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks to a United Kingdom-based motorist during a roadside stop on the Lagos-Benin expressway.

The arrest came after one of the officers in the viral video appeared to solicit a bribe from the motorist and made an ethnic remark after the driver’s refusal to his request. 

The officer, who ordered the motorist to leave the scene, stated, “I’ll slap you! If you were Igbo or another person, I would have just asked you to park.”

Speaking in a press briefing on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the officers involved had been arrested, stating that investigation was ongoing into the incident.

Mr Jimoh identified the offiers as ASP Elomore Sodayo, Adefila Adewale, Olorunfemi Opeyemi and Odusola Peter.

According to him, the investigation followed a directive by the state commissioner of police, Felix Ohagwu, to determine the level of culpability of the officers and ensure appropriate disciplinary action where required.

“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined and professional institution that does not condone any form of misconduct, incivility, or actions capable of undermining public confidence, promoting ethnic division, or bringing the Force into disrepute.

“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 stated.