A police inspector and three civilians have been arrested in Benin City, Edo State, over alleged involvement in extortion, brutality, and robbery, sparking widespread public concern and renewed calls for police reform.
The suspects, including a serving officer of the Nigeria Police Force, were arrested following a viral video that exposed the alleged abduction and harassment of a citizen in Benin. The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, showed a victim narrating how he was picked up by people claiming to be policemen, who then intimidated him and forcefully took away his phone and other belongings.
In a press release issued on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrest of Police Inspector Ojo Oloruntobi and three civilians identified as Charles Onah, Joseph Ohis, and Enoma Agho.
According to the statement, the suspects had been working together to harass and extort money from innocent residents in the city, using fear and the influence of the police uniform to commit crimes.
Yamu stated that the arrest came after Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, ordered an immediate investigation into the viral video and other related complaints received by the Command.
“On the 15th of August 2025, operatives of the Ugbowo Surveillance Team successfully tracked down and arrested the suspects. They were found with a silver Toyota Yaris and other incriminating items,” the police spokesperson said.
The Commissioner of Police condemned the act in strong terms, describing it as shameful and a betrayal of the trust the public places in the police.
“CP Agbonika has made it clear that there will be no hiding place for rogue officers within the Nigeria Police Force. He reiterated that the Command maintains a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, abuse of office, and any form of unprofessional conduct,” Yamu added.
According to the Command, the arrest of Inspector Oloruntobi, who was serving within the Edo State Police Command, highlights a worrying trend of some officers colluding with civilians to intimidate and exploit members of the public.
The viral video that triggered the investigation is believed to have played a critical role in bringing the suspects to justice. In the video, the victim could be seen describing his ordeal and appealing for help. His testimony was widely shared, drawing reactions from both citizens and human rights groups across the country.
The Police Command is now calling on the public, especially the victim in the viral video, to come forward and provide further information that can assist in the investigation.
“The Command is committed to ensuring that justice is served, and we are urging anyone with useful information about this case to come forward,” Yamu said.
He further assured that the Command remains focused on its duty to protect lives and property, restore public trust, and uphold the integrity of the police force.
This incident is the latest in a string of cases involving police misconduct in Nigeria. In recent years, there have been numerous complaints about extortion, illegal detentions, and harassment by law enforcement officers. The 2020 EndSARS protests brought the issue to the forefront, with thousands of Nigerians taking to the streets to demand an end to police brutality.
Although the federal government promised reforms and disbanded the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), cases like this continue to surface, showing that more work needs to be done to cleanse the police system of bad eggs.
Several citizens in Benin City who spoke with our correspondent welcomed the arrest but expressed concern about whether the suspects would actually be punished.
“This is not the first time we are hearing of police officers being arrested for wrongdoing, but in the end, they somehow return to duty,” said Mr. Osas Eghosa, a trader at Ugbowo market. “We want to see them face justice in court.”
Legal and human rights advocates are now calling for the trial of the suspects to be made public, to serve as a deterrent to others in the force.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command has promised to provide updates as investigations continue. It also reiterated its commitment to flushing out criminal elements from within its ranks.
“This arrest is a strong message that the Nigeria Police Force will not tolerate any form of criminal behavior from its officers,” the statement concluded.
