The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed PC Liyomo Okoi from the force.
Okoi with Force No 524503, attached to Ekori Divisional Police Headquarters, Cross River State, was captured in a video that went viral on 31st July, 2022, flogging a civilian with a machete.
A statement released by the force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, says the officer has ceased to be a member of the NPF with effect from Monday, August 8.
He urged members of the public not to have any official dealings or transactions with him henceforth.
“We will always do the needful to sanitise the NPF and uphold the standards and values of the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
Adejobi added that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has expressed grave disappointment at the reports of brutality and extortion levelled against some police officers via various complaint channels available to the public, particularly on social media platforms.
He added that the IGP has directed all supervising Commissioners of Police and Tactical/Strategic Commanders to ensure strict supervision of their personnel as further incidents of this nature would be dealt with severely.
“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 a 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,” the statement further read.
