Police demote Rivers officer, reprimand colleague over assault

Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have demoted the policeman caught on video assaulting a motorist in Rivers State.

The officer, Adejoh Siaka, was demoted  from the rank of Inspector to Sergeant.

The PUNCH had reported how a gun-wielding policeman, later identified as Siaka, was seen in a viral video hitting a motorist with a stick, after which he followed with two slaps to the victim’s face, while the latter was demanding his offence.

Other gun-bearing policemen were present at the scene but none of them made any effort to restrain their colleague from further assaulting the man.

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Meanwhile, a female voice heard in the back called on the man to leave the spot and join her, saying, “Come let’s go.”

Following public outcry, the police had said the case would be investigated and later unveiled the identities of the policemen involved.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Tuesday that Siaka’s demotion followed an orderly room trial by the Force Provost Marshal.

Adejobi said  Sergeant Ndiwa Kpuebari, who was also present at the scene but took no steps to discourage the inappropriate action, was reprimanded, while a third officer, Inspector Friday Obaka, who was later discovered to have been absent from the scene, “was discharged unconditionally at the conclusion of the proceedings.”

“In all, the three policemen will be posted out of Rivers State to other commands and formations to continue their police duties.

“The Inspector General of Police has, therefore, tasked officers and men of the Force to be diligent and uphold the lofty tenets of professional policing in the discharge of their duties with respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” Adejobi said.