The Lagos State Police Command has opened an investigation into a viral video showing a uniformed officer being brutally assaulted by a mob over an unverified allegation of theft.
The footage, which surfaced online on Wednesday, shows the officer sitting on the ground with blood streaming from his mouth while surrounded by an irate crowd. Despite appearing distressed and pleading for help, the mob continued recording with their phones as background voices repeatedly accused him of stealing — although the exact allegation remains unclear.
At a point during the altercation, another police officer attempted to push through the crowd to rescue his colleague. The mob, however, kept chanting “Ole!” (Thief) as commercial buses and tricycles moved slowly past the chaotic scene. A yellow bus marked “Ayedade” could be seen in the clip, indicating the incident likely happened in a busy Lagos corridor.
Reacting to the video, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said the command is working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and confirm the identity of the assaulted officer.
“The command has seen the viral video. We are investigating to determine the full circumstances and confirm the identity of the officer. Updates will follow soon,” Adebisi posted on X.
The development comes as the Nigerian Police Force continues to warn against mob justice, stressing that all allegations — whether against civilians or security personnel — must be handled through lawful processes.
In a related incident, the Plateau State Police Command recently confirmed the arrest of 18 suspects linked to the mob killing of a police officer known as Inspector Jeremiah and a suspect in Bassa Local Government Area. The attack reportedly occurred when officers attempted to arrest a suspect accused of intimidation, trespass, and farmland encroachment.