Policeman seen in video flogging man with machete fired

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed a Police Constable caught in a viral video flogging a man with a machete in Cross Rivers State.

PC Liyomo Okoi, with NPF Number 524503 was dismissed after facing an Orderly Room Trial in which he was said to have been found guilty of the offence. His dismissal takes effect August 8, 2022.

Addressing journalists at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said Okoi’s conduct falls short of the professional standard set by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba.

This comes as the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has frowned against the reports of brutality and extortion levelled against some police officers, particularly on social media platforms.

The IGP directed all supervising Commissioners of Police and Tactical/Strategic Commanders to ensure strict supervision of their personnel as he would no longer tolerate such incidences.

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Adejobi said the IGP has equally ordered an overhauling of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Special Tactical Squad (STS), and the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) Units to ensure that their operations are in tandem with the purpose for their creation, and maximum effectiveness and output in line with the mandate of the IGP’s administration and public safety.

The statement reads: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has expressed grave disappointment at the reports of brutality and extortion levelled against some police officers via various complaint channels available to the public, particularly on social media platforms. The IGP has therefore directed all supervising Commissioners of Police and Tactical/Strategic Commanders to ensure strict supervision of their personnel as further incidences of this nature would be viewed strictly.

“The IGP has also ordered a wholistic overhauling of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Special Tactical Squad (STS), and the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) Units to ensure that their operations are in tandem with the purpose of their creation, and maximum effectiveness and output in line with the mandate of the IGP’s administration and public safety.

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“The IGP has therefore directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau (AIG-FIB) to carry out a supervisory role over the three units to ensure their operations are professional, active and productive and do not infringe on the fundamental rights of the citizenry, and other members of the public.

“In the same vein, the Force has dismissed *Force No. 524503 PC Liyomo Okoi* attached to Ekori Divisional Headquarters, Cross Rivers Police Command for gross misconduct captured in a viral video on 31st July 2022 where he was flogging a man with a machete. His dismissal takes effect from today the 8th of August, 2022.

“The Inspector-General of Police has therefore reiterated his commitment to ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standards and enhancement of the anti-corruption drive with a dedication to entrenching human rights-driven policing within the country. The IGP expressed confidence that the current overhauling will improve the effectiveness of the units, and rid them of negative elements who deviate from the standard operating procedure of the Units, and the Nigeria Police Force in general.”