Police arrest officers who ‘assaulted’ woman in Rivers, begin probe

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has arrested four officers for allegedly assaulting a woman in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.

On Friday, a video appeared on the platform X (previously known as Twitter) in which a woman, who was said to be travelling, was seen with bruises on her mouth.

In the less than one-minute video, the victim was seen washing off the bruise on her lips with a bottle of water while another woman could be heard shouting at some armed police officers along the road.

She accused the security operatives of assaulting and inflicting injuries on her sister’s lips.

The incident reportedly happened during a stop-and-search operation around the Ada George area of Port Harcourt.

The video elicited harsh reactions on social media as many Nigerians called for the arrest of the officers involved in the incident.

In a statement released on Monday, NPF asked the lady seen in the video to come forward and share her side of the story.

“We want to inform our esteemed friends that the police officers allegedly involved in the incident from the video have been identified and are now in custody as part of our ongoing investigation,” the statement reads.

“We are committed to ensuring a fair and thorough examination of this matter.

“However, to ensure transparency and gather all perspectives, we urgently request the lady seen in the video to please come forward and share her side of the story.

“Your input is crucial in helping us understand the situation fully. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities.”