The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed misleading social media reports alleging that a police inspector seen being beaten in a widely shared video was caught stealing, clarifying the circumstances that led to the attack and announcing the arrest of 13 suspects involved in the incident. Authorities emphasised that the online narrative was false and called for calm and cooperation with law enforcement.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi said the inspector is an officer attached to the Lagos State Taskforce and was on official duty enforcing the state government’s ban on illegal parking along Brown Street in Oshodi when the incident occurred. According to the police, the officer stopped a motorist who attempted to park unlawfully, but the situation escalated when the driver became violent, triggering a confrontation.
“During the incident, the inspector accidentally discharged his firearm onto the road, and debris from the impact affected some passersby,” Adebisi said. “The mob immediately gathered, during which the inspector was violently attacked and sustained serious injuries.”
Contrary to the theft allegations circulating online, the command emphasised that there was no evidence supporting claims that the inspector was stealing, describing such accounts as “false and misleading.”
While the inspector will face disciplinary action in line with established police procedures for what the command described as his unprofessional conduct, the focus has also shifted to those who assaulted him at the scene. Adebisi confirmed that 13 suspects captured in the viral footage have been arrested and are being held pending prosecution at the conclusion of investigations.
Those in custody 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).
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Olohundare Jimoh, condemned the unprofessional conduct of the taskforce officer but issued a stern warning against attacks on law enforcement personnel. He reiterated that assaulting officers performing lawful duties is a criminal offence that “will not be condoned under any circumstance.”
The police also urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information online and to work with security agencies to maintain peace and order across the state. Authorities highlighted that social media misinformation can escalate tensions and mischaracterise events, calling for responsible sharing of content.
This clarification follows widespread circulation of the video earlier in the week, which initially prompted concern among residents and online users after the inspector was seen being beaten by a mob accusing him of theft — a claim now firmly rejected by official police accounts.
The police command’s response reflects ongoing efforts to counter misinformation and uphold accountability in public discourse, reinforcing that lawful process and verified facts should guide public reaction to such incidents.
