By Ovasa Ogaga,
A disturbing video showing policemen brutally assaulting a young man near the Asaba Specialist Hospital has triggered widespread outrage on social media — and a swift response from Delta State Police Commissioner, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, who has ordered the immediate detention of the officers involved.
The footage, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms on Sunday, July 27, 2025, captured uniformed officers physically attacking an unarmed civilian in broad daylight — a scene that has once again put the Nigeria Police Force in the spotlight for abuse of power.
Reacting to the incident, CP Abaniwonda condemned the act as “unprofessional conduct” and confirmed that the officers seen in the video have been identified and detained, pending the commencement of an orderly room trial. The team leader, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), has also been queried.
“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered that the policemen be identified and brought before the Command Headquarters for immediate disciplinary action,” the statement said.
The CP emphasised that “under his watch, such conduct by officers will not be tolerated”, adding that the disciplinary measures will be pursued “in accordance with the extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others.”
In what appears to be a bid to salvage the command’s image, Abaniwonda insisted the assault “is not in the character of the Command” and called on officers to uphold the tenets of professional policing in line with the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
“He has therefore tasked officers and men to uphold the tenets of professional policing… to fundamental human rights of all citizens,” the statement read.
While the police have appealed for public calm, many citizens continue to question the sincerity of internal disciplinary actions that often end without transparency or justice. Critics argue that this latest incident only reinforces a disturbing pattern of police impunity, especially in Delta State, where similar cases have been reported in recent months.
The Delta State Police Command has urged members of the public to report misconduct through its control room lines or social media platforms, but public trust remains fragile.
“He appealed to members of the public to remain calm and assured them of justice,” the police spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, said in the statement.
As Nigerians await the outcome of the promised disciplinary action, many are calling for an independent review and tougher reforms to end systemic abuse within the police force.
