Juliana Francis
The Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that a Police Corporal identified as Umameh Mathias, attached to Kogi State Command, who was caught in a viral video slapping a bus passenger, has been arrested.
Adejobi, who said the Police misconduct happened in 2021, said that the victim was a passenger on a bus.
Adejobi explained that the matter was assigned to the X Squad, FCID for a thorough investigation and necessary sanctions and the investigators have finally unmasked the men.
Adejobi explained: “On the 16th of October 2021, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Barnabas Isah, AP/No. 285845, Inspector Ifediegwu Godwin, F/No. 508704, Sergeant Emmanuel Ochima, F/No. 514369 and Corporal Umameh Mathias, all attached to Adogo Division Kogi State Police Command, were posted on a ‘Stop and Search’ duty along Adogo/Okene highway.
“In the course of their duty, they stopped one Toyota Hiace, belonging to Big Joe Transport company, and in the process, F/No. 514369 Cpl Mathias Umameh assaulted a passenger, and it was caught in a viral video.
“The officer was issued a query for Lack of supervision while the inspector and rank and files were defaulted and tried for offences of disobedience to lawful order, discreditable conduct, the unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority and corrupt practice.
“F/no 514369 Cpl Mathias Umameh has been found guilty of the offences of unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority and uncleanliness and was reduced in rank.
“While AP/No 285845 Inspr Ifediegwu Godwin and F/no 508704 Sgt Emmanuel Ochima were used as prosecution witnesses against Umameh, and they were later warned.
“We owe Nigerians a duty of updating them on the incident since the video resurfaced and widely circulated.”
