Police Dismiss Officer Who Was Filmed ‘Beating Man With Machete’ In Cross River

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed an officer attached to Cross River Police Command, Liyomo Okoi, who was filmed beating a man with a machete in the Ekori community.

Liyomo Okoi Dismissed By Nigerian Police Force

KanyiDaily had published a viral video showing the power-drunk police officer assaulting a young man by hitting him repeatedly with a machete.

The force spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who condemned the video, said the commissioner of police in Cross River has been contacted and necessary action will be taken on the incident.

In a statement issued on Monday, August 8, Adejobi announced that the police constable with NPF Number 524503 has been dismissed with immediate effect after fhe was ound guilty of the offence.

The statement reads, “The Force has dismissed Force No. 524503 PC Liyomo Okoi attached to Ekori Divisional Headquarters, Cross River Police Command, for gross misconduct captured in a viral video on 31st July, 2022 where he was flogging a man with a machete. His dismissal takes effect from today the 8th of August, 2022.

“The Inspector-General of Police has therefore reiterated his commitment to ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standard, and enhancement of the anti-corruption drive with dedication to entrenching human rights-driven policing within the country.

“The IGP expressed confidence that the current overhauling will improve the effectiveness of the units, and rid them of negative elements who deviate from the standard operating procedure of the Units, and the Nigeria Police Force in general.”

Adejobi also said Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered an “overhauling” of special units within the NPF, and warned officers against extortion and brutality.

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.

“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 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.”

This comes a few weeks after Nigeria Police Force dismissed a police inspector, Richard Gele, who was caught on camera “dignifying and justifying extortion” in Kogi State.