Outrage As Nigerian Soldier Defends Police ∆ssault On Civilian In Edo, Says V!ctim Was Lucky To Surv!ve
Outrage As Nigerian Soldier Defends Police Assault On Civilian In Edo, Says Victim Was Lucky To Survive
Daniel’s controversial remarks came in reaction to a viral video recorded in Edo State last week, which showed armed police officers allegedly assaulting an unarmed man while chasing him through a bush.
ANigerian soldier identified as Jonah Kingstep Daniel has stirred outrage on social media after suggesting that a civilian who confronted security personnel was fortunate to have escaped alive, warning that if such an encounter had involved “some” officers, the civilian “would not have come back.”
Daniel’s controversial remarks came in reaction to a viral video recorded in Edo State last week, which showed armed police officers allegedly assaulting an unarmed man while chasing him through a bush.
Daniel
The disturbing footage, widely circulated on social media, captured several police officers pursuing the man with rifles.
During the chase, the victim reportedly fell to the ground, after which one of the officers was seen smashing him with the butt of his rifle.
Gunshots were also heard in the background, sending passersby fleeing in panic for fear of being caught in the violence.
The incident has triggered widespread condemnation from Nigerians and renewed concerns over alleged police brutality and the excessive use of force by security personnel against civilians.
Rather than condemning the conduct seen in the video, Daniel defended the actions and implied that the victim could have suffered a far worse fate.
In a Facebook post, he wrote: “Some civilians thought fighting uniform is good (Some civilians think fighting someone in uniform is a good idea).
“He’s even lucky, if na some, I swear dat bush wey he run enter he no go come back (He’s even lucky. If it had been some other people, I swear he wouldn’t have come back from the bush he ran into)”
His comments immediately drew criticism from social media users, including human rights activist Francis Nwapa, who questioned whether such threats reflected the values taught to members of the armed forces.
Responding directly to Daniel, Nwapa wrote: “Jonah Kingstep Daniel as part of your training, were you taught that the arms you bear is to be turned against the civilians?”
Facebook post
Another Facebook user, Adetayo Daniel, also condemned the soldier’s remarks, saying: “Jonah Kingstep Daniel so you riffle (sic) is for intimidating the ordinary citizens right? Una weldon ooo oga soldier.”
The controversy escalated after a police officer identified as Zacks Piano publicly backed Daniel and appeared to defend the conduct of security personnel while blaming civilians.
Reacting to Nwapa’s criticism of Daniel, Piano wrote: “Francis Nwapa Watch and as the civilian you are which law taught you to be rude and arrogant to police officers? Some people sef too do…”
Facebook post
Nwapa fired back at the police officer, accusing him of displaying conduct unbecoming of a law enforcement officer.
He replied: “Zacks Piano you are not fit to be in the force let alone public service. You have demonstrated a high level of uncultured, unprofessional uniform man. People like you should be allowed to remain in the system.”
The exchange has further fueled public debate over the conduct of some security personnel, with many Nigerians expressing concern over comments perceived as endorsing violence against civilians.
Facebook post
The viral Edo incident and the subsequent social media remarks by the soldier and police officer have intensified calls for greater accountability, professionalism, and respect for human rights by members of Nigeria’s security agencies.
SaharaReporters previously reported that the Ondo State Police Command announced the arrest of four police officers captured in a viral social media video allegedly making unprofessional and ethnically insensitive remarks while conducting a stop-and-search operation along the Lagos–Benin Expressway.
The Command disclosed that the officers had been taken into custody following public outrage over the video, while the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the officers’ conduct and establish their respective levels of culpability.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ondo State Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the Command was aware of the viral footage and had moved swiftly to identify and arrest the officers involved.
He said the arrested officers had been identified as AP/No. 207454 ASP Elomore Sodayo, AP/No. 332012 Inspector Adefila Adewale, AP/No. 332449 Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi, and AP/No. 332369 Inspector Odusola Peter.
He explained that Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu had immediately directed a full-scale investigation into the incident to unravel the circumstances surrounding the officers’ actions.
He added that police officers were expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism while respecting the dignity and rights of members of the public.
