Police debunk viral video claiming officer caught stealing, arrests 13 for assault

The Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims circulating on social media that a police inspector seen being beaten in a viral video was caught stealing, describing the allegations as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command clarified that the officer, who appeared in the video under attack by a mob, is a serving Inspector attached to the Lagos State Taskforce.

According to the police, he was carrying out official duties enforcing the state government’s ban on illegal parking along Brown Street in Oshodi when the incident occurred.

The police explained that the Inspector had stopped a motorist attempting to park wrongly when the situation escalated.

The motorist reportedly became violent, leading to a confrontation. During the fracas, the Inspector accidentally discharged shots onto the road, and debris from the impact injured some passersby.

The disturbance quickly attracted an angry crowd, which descended on the officer, beating him severely and leaving him with serious injuries. The Lagos Police emphasized that contrary to online claims, the officer was not involved in any criminal activity.

The Command confirmed that the Inspector has been subjected to internal disciplinary procedures for unprofessional conduct during the encounter. Simultaneously, thirteen individuals captured in the viral video assaulting the officer have been arrested and are in custody.

The suspects, who will be charged to court after investigations, 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).

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, condemned the conduct of the Inspector but strongly warned that attacks on law enforcement officers performing lawful duties will not be tolerated.

He stressed that assaulting a police officer is a criminal offence and assured that the Command will prosecute anyone found culpable.

The Command called on the public to remain calm, desist from sharing unverified narratives, and continue cooperating with the police in the interest of peace and order across the state.

The statement was signed by SP Abimbola Adebisi, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, on December 11, 2025.