Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A man in Benin City, Edo State, has accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force of harassment and assault after sharing a video that captures a heated confrontation between him and several uniformed officers. The video, which circulated widely on social media on Monday, July 27, 2026, shows the visibly distressed man recording the encounter while pleading with Nigerians to witness what he described as an unjustified attack. The incident has reignited public outrage over police brutality and arbitrary enforcement of traffic rules in the state capital.
In the footage, the man is seen being manhandled by officers who appear to be dragging his neck and shirt. He repeatedly appeals to the public, saying, "Nigerians, come and see what police officers are doing to me." He continues, "See what police are doing to me, everybody. I will post you guys on the internet. You're dragging my neck and shirt. I am recording you." The man insists that he has fully complied with the officers' request by presenting his driver's licence. "Is it not driver's licence I showed you?" he asks, his voice laden with frustration and fear.
One of the officers, whose face is clearly captured in the video, questions the authenticity of the licence presented. "Is that your own driver's licence? You will regret your actions today," the officer is heard saying. The threat appeared to intimidate the man, who continued to plead his case while recording. The circumstances leading to the confrontation remain unclear, and it could not be independently verified whether the man had committed any traffic or other offence before the altercation. However, the video does not show the officers conducting any form of document inspection or explaining the alleged violation.
The video was first shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @ChuksEricE on July 27, 2026, and quickly gained traction, amassing thousands of views, retweets, and comments. Many social media users expressed outrage over the officers' conduct, while others called on the Edo State Police Command to identify and discipline the officers involved. Some also urged the victim to seek legal redress and report the matter to the appropriate authorities.
The incident comes amid a string of similar allegations of police misconduct in Edo State. On July 26, 2026, a viral video showed police officers in Edo physically confronting and assaulting passengers who allegedly refused to pay a ₦500 bribe. The footage, shared by X user @General_Somto, captured a tense roadside altercation between several individuals and armed officers in police camouflage uniforms, sparking widespread condemnation. In response, the Edo State Police Command condemned the actions of the officers and promised to take disciplinary measures.
The latest video also follows a controversial remark by a Nigerian soldier who, on July 27, 2026, defended police assault on a civilian in Edo State, claiming the victim was "lucky to survive." The soldier's comment came in reaction to another viral video recorded in Edo State the previous week, which showed armed police officers allegedly assaulting an unarmed man while chasing him through a bush. The disturbing footage, widely circulated on social media, captured several police officers pursuing the man with rifles. The soldier's defence of the officers drew widespread criticism from human rights groups and concerned citizens.
This is not the first time a Benin City resident has alleged abuse by police officers. In May 2025, a resident identified as Ibrahim recounted how he left a police station with injuries after honouring an invitation from the state police command. The invitation followed a viral video showing him being assaulted by a police officer. The incident reportedly occurred on May 5, 2025, along Airport Road in Benin City, where Ibrahim was seen being harassed by an officer identified as an Assistant Superintendent of Traffic. He told reporters that he was invited to the station and was later beaten, leaving him bleeding.
Furthermore, in August 2025, a Nigerian man alleged that police officers in Benin City abducted, brutalised, and extorted money from him because he was married to an American woman. The victim, who appeared in a viral video, recounted how he was kidnapped by five armed officers who accused him of being wealthy. He said he was tortured and forced to transfer money to the officers before he was released. The Edo State Police Command later arrested an inspector and three others in connection with the case.
The Edo State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the latest incident as of Tuesday, July 28, 2026. However, the command has in the past taken swift action against officers caught on camera engaging in misconduct. In May 2026, the command identified officers who assaulted a man lying on the ground and initiated a disciplinary process. The police have also repeatedly urged members of the public to report cases of abuse through official channels, including the Police Complaint Response Unit.
The persistence of such incidents raises serious questions about the effectiveness of internal disciplinary mechanisms within the Nigeria Police Force. Despite repeated pledges by police authorities to reform and hold erring officers accountable, videos of harassment, extortion, and assault continue to surface regularly across the country. Civil society organisations have called for an independent oversight body to investigate police misconduct and ensure that victims receive justice.
In the absence of an official response from the Edo State Police Command, the man in the latest video remains in a state of uncertainty. His decision to record the encounter and share it online reflects a growing trend among Nigerians who, distrustful of the formal complaint process, are resorting to social media to expose abuses and seek public sympathy. While this approach has often forced authorities to act, it also highlights the systemic failure of the police to protect citizens from its own officers.
The video has also sparked conversations about the legality of recording police officers in Nigeria. While there is no law prohibiting citizens from filming law enforcement officers in public spaces, officers have been known to threaten and intimidate individuals who exercise this right. In the latest footage, the officer's threat that the man will "regret" his actions suggests an attempt to discourage documentation of police conduct, a tactic that human rights advocates say undermines accountability and transparency.
As the video continues to circulate, the pressure on the Edo State Police Command to act is mounting. The command's Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, has not commented on the case. However, given the command's previous statements condemning such actions, it is expected that an investigation will be launched, and if the allegations are substantiated, disciplinary action will follow. For now, the man who recorded the incident awaits justice, hoping that his ordeal will not be forgotten and that the officers who humiliated him will be held accountable.
The incident in Benin City is a stark reminder of the challenges facing police reform in Nigeria. While the government has pledged to modernise the force and improve its human rights record, incidents like this continue to erode public trust. The man's cry, "See what police are doing to me," echoes the frustration of millions of Nigerians who encounter similar treatment daily. Until meaningful reforms are implemented and enforced, such videos will remain the primary recourse for citizens seeking to expose injustice.
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