The Nigeria Police Force has detained an officer implicated in a viral video that shows him alongside Wahab and Raheem, the sons of billionaire businessman Chief Razaq Okoya, engaging in the abuse of the naira.
The video, which rapidly gained attention on social media, prompted widespread public outrage over the officers’ actions.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the development on Friday through a statement on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
According to Adejobi, the video depicts an act that is in direct contradiction with the ethical standards upheld by the police force.
The incident, which sparked concerns about the image of law enforcement, has led to immediate steps being taken by the authorities.
“The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action,” Adejobi wrote in his post.
In the controversial footage, the two brothers, identified as Wahab and Raheem Okoya, appear to be involved in a distasteful demonstration that disrespects the national currency.
The viral video, which was shared across multiple platforms, showed the police officer interacting with the Okoya brothers in a manner that appeared unprofessional and inappropriate for an officer of the law.
The Nigeria Police Force, which has long championed the respect for national symbols, including the naira, swiftly condemned the act as not only unethical but also as a violation of the force’s core values of discipline and professionalism.
Authorities have stressed that the officer’s conduct was unacceptable and contrary to the Force’s commitment to upholding the law and maintaining public trust.
The police officer’s name has yet to be publicly disclosed, but investigations are underway to determine the full context of the incident. Disciplinary measures, as indicated by Adejobi, will follow as per the police force’s internal regulations.
The Okoya family, prominent in Lagos and known for their business ventures, has also come under scrutiny due to their association with the controversial video.
While the sons of Chief Razaq Okoya have not made a public statement about the video, the incident has ignited a broader conversation about the conduct of public figures and law enforcement personnel.
Public reaction to the viral video has been swift and mixed. Some citizens have expressed support for the police’s quick response and the steps being taken to address the misconduct, while others have raised concerns about the prevalence of such incidents and the need for further scrutiny into the behavior of police officers on duty.
The Nigeria Police Force, in recent years, has worked to improve its image, but incidents like this challenge its efforts to build public trust and integrity.
The outcome of the ongoing disciplinary proceedings will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for how similar cases of police misconduct are handled in the future.
As of now, Nigerians continue to debate the significance of the video and its impact on the reputation of both the police force and the influential Okoya family.
The outcome of this case may have broader implications for accountability within law enforcement agencies and the respect for national symbols in Nigeria.
