A disturbing case of police brutality has triggered public anger after a man was allegedly flogged for over 30 minutes by a police officer near Wuse Market in Abuja. The victim, who recently survived an accident and was returning from church, was reportedly attacked without provocation.
The incident came to light after a woman identified as @torty\_mercy shared the video and account of her brother’s ordeal on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
In the video, the victim, visibly in pain, narrated: “I’m just coming back from church at Wuse Market. A policeman flogged me for over 30 minutes with a big stick. I have injuries on my leg. I can’t even run. People gathered, and I wasn’t even involved in the matter — just a passenger in the vehicle.”
According to his sister, the attack started when the driver of the vehicle they were in stopped briefly at Wuse Market junction, opposite Zenith Bank. A police officer approached, started dragging the steering with the driver, and suddenly turned his attention to her brother who was seated by the window.
She claimed the officer, who reeked of alcohol, walked around the car and spat on her brother. When he stepped down to ask why, the officer allegedly began beating him mercilessly with a stick, targeting his injured leg.
“The officer broke his glasses, tried to destroy his phone, and hit him on the same leg he had injured from a recent accident,” she wrote. “His colleagues did nothing to stop him. They only asked my brother to run, knowing fully well he couldn’t.”
She expressed deep pain and fear, wondering what might have happened if the officer had been armed. “What is the life of a Nigerian worth?” she asked in frustration.
Reacting to the viral video, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that the officers involved have been identified and disciplinary action is underway.
“The officers have been identified, and disciplinary proceedings have already commenced. The individual has also been contacted for more details,” Adeh stated.
The incident adds to growing concerns over police conduct in Nigeria, particularly as citizens continue to demand justice and accountability in cases of abuse and excessive force.