The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an inspector identified as Osumah Frank after a video of him making political and ethnic remarks against Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi went viral.
The command said on Friday that disciplinary proceedings had commenced against the officer over comments it described as inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of police personnel.
Frank was reportedly captured in the video, while dressed in police uniform and travelling in what appeared to be a public transport vehicle, making comments about Obi and the possibility of an Igbo person becoming President of Nigeria.
Among the remarks attributed to him was that an Igbo person could never become president. He also made allegations against Obi, including claims relating to internet fraud and ritual activities.
The allegations were made by the officer in the video and have not been established by the police.
The Lagos Command, through its spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the officer’s comments were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the position of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force,” Adebisi said.
She added that the police would not condone conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence.
The Command said Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, had reiterated the need for officers to maintain professionalism, civility and discipline in their dealings with members of the public.
The incident has drawn attention to the conduct of serving security personnel amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The police said the matter would be handled as a disciplinary case under applicable regulations, while stressing that the views expressed by the inspector should not be interpreted as the official position of the Force.
Obi, a former Anambra State governor, was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election and is now the NDC presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.