Police Officers Caught Assaulting Keke Operator With Rifles
Two police officers attached to the Bayelsa State Police Command have been caught on camera assaulting and brutalising a tricyclist after demanding his driver’s licence. In a disturbing video, the two uniformed officers were seen physically assaulting the tricycle operator, pushing him violently to the ground and repeatedly hitting him with their rifles during a roadside encounter in Bayelsa State.
As seen in the footage, the officers stopped the tricycle operator and demanded his driver’s licence. Moments later, the situation escalated into violence as the officers seized one of the tyres of the tricycle. When the victim attempted to retrieve his tyre, the officers descended on him, shoving him to the ground and beating him mercilessly.
In the video, one of the officers was seen striking the helpless man with his shoe, while both officers continued to hit him repeatedly with the butt of their rifles. The victim could be heard crying out in pain and pleading for mercy as he lay overpowered and defenceless on the ground. Despite his pleas, the officers showed no restraint.
The tricycle operator was heard explaining that he was sick and helpless, insisting that his documents were complete and valid. However, his explanations fell on deaf ears as the officers continued the assault.
The officers eventually took away the tricycle tyre and left the operator badly injured, with visible wounds all over his body. The victim was left stranded and in severe pain after the officers walked away from the scene.
Reacting to the incident, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, psc, IICFIP, fosi, condemned the assault and ordered the immediate arrest of the officers involved. In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, the Bayelsa State Police Command confirmed that its attention had been drawn to the viral video allegedly showing police officers assaulting a tricycle rider.
“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Iyamah Daniel Edebor, has condemned the act in strong terms, describing it as unacceptable and contrary to professional policing standards,” the statement read. The Commissioner reiterated that the Command does not tolerate any form of human rights violation, unprofessional conduct, or brutality by its personnel.
According to the statement, the officers captured in the video have been arrested, and disciplinary proceedings have commenced against them in line with the provisions of the Police Act and other extant regulations.
“The officers involved have been arrested and disciplinary proceedings has since commenced in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act and other extant regulations. “CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of the rights and safety of all citizens while ensuring lawful and professional policing across Bayelsa State,” he added.
