Police Officer’s Ethnic Remark Sparks Outrage: ‘If You Were Igbo, I Would Have Detained You

 Police Officer’s Ethnic Remark Sparks Outrage: ‘If You Were Igbo, I Would Have Detained You A viral video of a Nigerian police officer at a...

 Police Officer’s Ethnic Remark Sparks Outrage: ‘If You Were Igbo, I Would Have Detained You

A viral video of a Nigerian police officer at a checkpoint has triggered widespread condemnation after he told a motorist that he would have detained him if he were Igbo, amid an alleged attempt at extortion. The incident occurred on or around 24 July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan/Lagos-Benin Expressway while the driver was heading toward Akure in Ondo State.

The motorist, a Nigerian recently returned from the United Kingdom (described in some reports as of Yoruba extraction), was stopped by police officers during a stop-and-search operation. He presented his vehicle papers, including customs documents and driver’s licence. The officers returned the vehicle papers but retained his driver’s licence.

One officer told him to “go and do better thing” (widely interpreted as a demand for a bribe). When the motorist replied that he had no money and would have given something if he did, the officer responded along the lines of: “I just want to see how you are going to behave. If you are another person, Igbo or others, I will just carry you go (to the station). If you don’t have anything, go and park.” Variations in reports include “If you were Igbo, I would have detained you” or references to detaining him if he were Igbo, with a gesture toward the roadside.

The motorist repeatedly asked for the return of his licence, insisted he had committed no offence, challenged the officers to check his documents properly, and noted that he was recording the encounter. Some circulating versions of the video also allege a threat to slap the motorist. The officer did not identify a specific traffic offence before ordering the man to leave.

The footage spread rapidly on social media platforms, drawing strong criticism for tribal profiling, ethnic discrimination, and unprofessional conduct against the Igbos in Nigeria. Many viewed the Igbo-specific reference as particularly inflammatory in Nigeria’s multi-ethnic context, with commenters describing it as evidence of bias against people of Igbo extraction and linking it to broader complaints about checkpoint extortion. 

The Ondo State Police Command acted swiftly. It identified the officers involved and arrested four of them on the directive of Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu. They are:

- ASP Elomore Sodayo (AP/No. 207454)

- Inspector Adefila Adewale (AP/No. 332012)

- Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi (AP/No. 332449)

- Inspector Odusola Peter (AP/No. 332369)

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abayomi Jimoh (and earlier statements from CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu) confirmed the arrests and stated that a comprehensive investigation and orderly room trial had begun to determine culpability. The command emphasised that it does not condone unprofessional conduct, misconduct, or actions that promote ethnic division or undermine public confidence. It urged the motorist involved to provide further details to aid the probe and promised appropriate disciplinary action against any officers found guilty, in line with Force regulations.

The episode has renewed public debate about police accountability, checkpoint practices, and ethnic sensitivities in law enforcement in Nigeria. Investigation outcomes were pending as of the latest reports on 24–25 July 2026.

Family Writers Press International