The Ebonyi State Police Command has dismissed a viral video alleging “police brutality”, saying the incident involved a motorist who rammed his unregistered vehicle into a police patrol van and later apologised.
The Command, in a statement signed by SP Joshua Ukandu, Police Public Relations Officer, said the video circulating with the caption, “This police brutality becoming is too much”, was “misleading, mischievous and completely at variance with the facts.”
According to the police, the incident occurred on September 11, 2026, at Ahiaofu during a routine patrol.
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“Operatives sighted a vehicle being driven without a registration plate number and flagged it down,” the statement said.
“Rather than comply, the driver, Mr. Oketa Chigozie, rammed his vehicle into the rear of the police patrol vehicle, apparently in an attempt to evade arrest.”
The Command said Oketa got down and became “verbally abusive”, while other occupants joined the confrontation. Officers, however, exercised restraint and took him to the station.
Ukandu noted that at the station, Oketa told police he had only purchased the vehicle on September 10, 2026, and was taking it to show his family
“He admitted that the damage sustained to the grille of his vehicle angered him and led him to verbally abuse the police officers,” the police said.
He was informed that driving without registration and proper documentation is unlawful.
“Having understood the legal implications, he expressed remorse, apologised to the officers, and proposed to make an apology video to his followers explaining what actually transpired,” the Command stated.
He was later released and cautioned not to drive the vehicle until it was properly registered.
The police urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are registered before plying public roads and warned against using social media to distort lawful police action.
“Disagreement with police officers while on lawful duty does not confer the right to abuse, obstruct, or assault officers, nor does it justify the deliberate distortion of events on social media to portray lawful police action as brutality,” SP Ukandu said.
The Command added that it would continue to enforce traffic and other laws “without fear or favour.”
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