The police officer who was caught on camera beating a man with a machete in Cross River has been dismissed.
The officer, Liyomo Okoi, assigned to the Cross River Police Command, was fired by the Nigerian Police Force for assaulting a man with a machete.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, announced his dismissal in a statement on Monday.
“GROSS MISCONDUCT: NPF has dismissed PC LIYOMO OKOI, Force No 524503, attached to Ekori Divisional Police Headquarters, Cross River State; who was captured in a video that went viral on 31st July 2022; where he was flogging a civilian with cutlass.
“With effect from today 8th August, 2022, he is ceased to be a member of the NPF; and we urge members of the public not to have any official dealings or transactions with him henceforth.
“We will always do the needful to sanitise the NPF and uphold the standards and values of the NPF. THANKS,” the statement reads.
Adejobi further claimed that Usman Baba, the IGP, had ordered a “overhaul” of the NPF’s special units. He also cautioned personnel against using violence and extortion.
He said, “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, has expressed grave disappointment at the reports of brutality and extortion leveled 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.”
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“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. This is 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 IGP has therefore directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Bureau (AIG-FIB) to carry out 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.”
Okoi will be the second officer fired by the Nigerian Police Force in less than two weeks. In July, the Police fired Inspector Richard Gele after he was caught on camera in Kogi State justifying extortion.
