The Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims that a police inspector shown being beaten by a mob in a viral video on social media was apprehended for stealing.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Abimbola Adebisi made the clarification in a Thursday statement.

She disclosed that the unnamed inspector, who was attached to the Lagos State Taskforce, had rather discharged his weapon during a scuffle with a motorist in the Oshodi area of the state.

Adebisi said, “The Lagos State Police Command has seen a video circulating widely across various social media platforms showing an Inspector of Police being beaten, with a caption falsely alleging that he

was caught stealing.

“The Command wishes to categorically clarify that the narration accompanying the video is false and misleading.

“The Inspector in question is an officer attached to the Lagos State Taskforce. He was on official duty enforcing the State Government’s ban on wrong parking along Brown Street, Oshodi.

“In the course of his duty, he stopped a motorist who attempted to park wrongly. The motorist became violent, resulting in a heated confrontation.

“During the incident, the Inspector accidentally discharged shots onto the road and debris.

“The mob immediately gathered, during which the Inspector was violently attacked and sustained serious injuries.”

Adebisi stated that the inspector has been subjected to disciplinary actions in line with established police procedures for his unprofessional conduct.

She further disclosed that 13 suspects captured in the viral video assaulting the officer have been arrested, currently in police custody, and will be prosecuted upon the completion of investigations.

The suspects were identified as, “Dele Oriade ‘m’ aged 39 years, Adekunle Olalere ‘m’ aged 40 years, Mudashiru Olamilekan ‘m’ aged 28 years, Anayo Achusie 34 years, Joshua Enwonyin ‘m’ aged 24 years, Okoro Okechukwu ‘m’ 26 years, Rilwan Lateef ‘m’ aged 32 years, Damilare Odebode ‘m’ aged 22 years, Haruna Aleshi ‘n’ 25 years, Sodiq Omoniyi ‘m’ aged 26 years, Chukwudi Patience ‘f’ aged 25 years, Godstime Okafor ‘f’ 26 years, Chinedu Divine ‘m’ 29 years.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh while condemning the unprofessional conduct of the personnel involved, strongly warned against any form of attack on police officers performing lawful duties.

He reiterated that assaulting law enforcement officers is a criminal offence and would not be condoned under any circumstances.

The command urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading misinformation, and continue to cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order across the state. (The Sun)