Ogun Police Arrest Four Officers Over Viral Sango Ota Incident, Launch Probe

By Adebola Muili

The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended four officers captured in a viral video showing the arrest of a young man in Ijagba, Sango Ota, and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The action follows widespread public criticism of the officers’ conduct, with social media users raising concerns about alleged abuse of power, the handling of firearms and the treatment of young people by security personnel.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, has ordered a thorough and impartial investigation, assuring the public that any misconduct established against the officers will be addressed in accordance with police regulations.

The controversy erupted after videos emerged on social media showing officers dressed in black uniforms struggling with a young man, pinning him to the ground and handcuffing him as a crowd gathered around them.

In the footage, residents can be heard challenging the officers over the arrest, with some insisting that the young man had done nothing wrong. The confrontation attracted an increasingly agitated crowd, whose members expressed anger over the officers’ actions.

A person recording the incident challenged the officers in Yoruba and English, questioning their treatment of the young man and criticising what was described as high-handedness.

A second video linked to the incident contained further allegations from a bystander, who claimed that the young man had been walking to buy food when he was arrested.

The bystander also alleged that police officers repeatedly arrested and handcuffed young people and claimed that the detained youth’s phone and charger had been seized.

These allegations have not been independently verified. The police command’s latest statement did not provide details of the circumstances that led to the arrest.

Loaded Rifle, Uniforms Draw Public Criticism

Beyond the circumstances of the arrest, the videos have prompted questions about police professionalism, the handling of firearms and the proper identification of officers on duty.

One of the video posters, Tomori, criticised the handling of a loaded rifle, describing the conduct as unprofessional and questioning whether officers who behaved in such a manner could be trusted with the responsibility of protecting citizens and their votes.

Another commenter, Dapsie, criticised what the user perceived as unequal treatment of police officers and young people over their clothing.

Dapsie alleged that officers wearing Ankara clothing and police vests could move around without facing the same scrutiny that young men might experience over clothing that did not necessarily resemble military camouflage.

The commenter described the situation as troubling and criticised the alleged use of excessive force against citizens.

Concerns about the identification of officers also featured in the online reactions.

A social media user, Onyia Chisimdi, questioned whether the individuals in the video were police officers or kidnappers, pointing to what the user described as the absence of name tags and the use of a minibus without visible police station identification.

The commenter called for police officers to wear complete uniforms while performing their duties, arguing that proper identification was necessary to distinguish legitimate security personnel.

Other users called for stronger accountability within the Nigeria Police Force.

A commenter identified as real-life tagged the Police Complaint Response Unit and urged the Inspector-General of Police to address what the user described as recurring cases of police oppression.

Another user, BIG_W, questioned whether the authorities would respond adequately to allegations of police misconduct only after citizens had been brutalised or injured.

Meanwhile, AdekunleSegz argued that such incidents would not be tolerated in northern Nigeria, suggesting that residents in southern Nigeria were too accommodating of alleged police misconduct.

Another commenter, LYON, warned that continued mistreatment of citizens could provoke a stronger public reaction and called for a comprehensive overhaul of the police force.

The reactions reflect public concerns about police accountability and the treatment of citizens. However, the allegations made by individual commenters have not been independently established.

Ogun Police Promise Accountability

In a statement issued on Sunday, October 18, 2026, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, confirmed that the four officers had been apprehended and that disciplinary procedures had been initiated.

Babaseyi said Ojajuni had directed a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the facts and determine the appropriate action.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, has directed a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, underscoring the Command’s commitment to professional discipline, accountability and respect for the rights of citizens,” the statement said.

The commissioner assured the public that the matter was receiving the necessary attention and that any proven misconduct would be addressed in accordance with established regulations.

The command also acknowledged members of the public for bringing the video to its attention and encouraged anyone with credible, firsthand information relevant to the investigation to cooperate with the appropriate authorities.

It urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified claims that could prejudice the investigative process.

Reaffirming its commitment to public trust, the command said accountability remained integral to effective policing and pledged to continue enforcing professional standards and protecting lives and property across Ogun State.

The police statement did not identify the four officers or specify when the investigation would be concluded. It also did not disclose the precise disciplinary measures initiated against them.