By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk
OWERRI, Imo State — The Imo State Police Command has ordered the detention of four security personnel following a viral video that showed a young man being forced into the boot of a vehicle during an operation at Human Race Road, Nekede, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over police conduct in Nigeria.
The Command confirmed that the incident occurred on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at about 9:00 a.m. in the Nekede community, a densely populated area that hosts Federal Polytechnic Nekede and thousands of students. The video quickly circulated across social media, prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, to order an immediate investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, preliminary investigations revealed that the personnel captured in the viral video comprised two police officers attached to the Nekede Divisional Headquarters and two Supernumerary Police officers. The team was reportedly carrying out an operation at a location suspected to be a drug trafficking hotspot along Human Race Road, Nekede.
The police disclosed that two suspects were arrested during the operation and that substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa were recovered from one of the suspects, who allegedly confessed to engaging in the sale of illicit drugs within the area.
However, despite the reported outcome of the operation, the Police Command strongly condemned the conduct of the officers seen in the viral footage, describing their actions as unprofessional, inhumane and contrary to the Standard Operating Procedures, Code of Conduct and ethical standards of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commissioner of Police subsequently ordered the immediate detention of the four officers and directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Owerri to carry out a comprehensive and impartial investigation. The Command also confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have commenced against the officers, assuring members of the public that the outcome of the investigation will be made public upon its conclusion.
The incident has generated widespread reactions among residents of Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area, and the wider Owerri metropolis, particularly students living within the Federal Polytechnic Nekede axis, many of whom welcomed the swift intervention by the police authorities while insisting that justice must be served.
Human rights advocates have also commended the Command for taking prompt action but urged the police to ensure that the investigation is transparent and that any officer found guilty is held accountable in accordance with the law.
The case has once again brought the issue of police professionalism and respect for the rights of citizens into national focus, with many Nigerians calling for sustained reforms and stricter enforcement of operational standards within law enforcement agencies.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to professional policing, CP Bosso assured residents of Imo State that while efforts to combat crime will continue, all police operations must be conducted lawfully and with full respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every individual.
The Imo State Police Command urged members of the public to remain calm while the investigation runs its course, assuring residents that justice will be pursued in line with established disciplinary and legal procedures.
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