Police Arrest ‘Drunk Officer’ In Abuja, To Subject Him To Psychological Test

The police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has arrested one of its officers recently caught on camera while he was intoxicated and promises to subject him to psychological and medical evaluation.

In a press statement released on Sunday and signed by Yusuf Mariam, the Police Public Relations Officer, the command described the officer as an inspector and said, after tests have been conducted, disciplinary actions will be taken against him.

The officer, who was identified as Garuba Salisu in a video that went viral on Saturday, wore his complete uniform and had been disarmed at the time of the filming, which was minutes past 4 pm. He appeared dazed and disoriented.

“The Commissioner of Police CP. Bala Ciroma has ordered that the Police officer be subjected to psychological and medical evaluation, preparatory to the commencement of disciplinary actions against him,” the command said in its statement.

“In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police wishes to unequivocally state that the behaviour portrayed by the Policeman in the video does not depict the standard discipline of the Nigeria Police Force,” it added.

“While urging residents to remain calm, the Command wishes to reiterate its unflinching commitment to the protection of lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory.”

According to the Police Act, one of the primary duties of the Inspector-General of Police and commissioners of police in the states and FCT is the maintenance of public safety. The law also prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor to constables who are on duty.

Various cases of unlawful use of force by drunk policemen have, however, been recorded across the country.

In April, a police constable who was under the influence allegedly murdered a young man,  Friday Arunsi, in Abia State. 

“Three policemen were coming back from a drinking spree in their private car about eight poles away from the shop. The driver lost control, while the car veered off the road and rammed into the truck,” narrated Kingsheart Ukpabi, who represented the deceased’s family in court.

“The policemen quickly jumped out of their car and asked the boys to stop unloading the goods. While this was going on, the constable rushed to his house to pick up his rifle and immediately started shooting sporadically, hitting Friday in the process.”

In June, a drunk officer killed an inspector-colleague, Francis Adekunle, in Lagos. This month, another young man, Olaoye Abayomi, was killed by a group of intoxicated police officers in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital.

HumAngle observed in July that psychological problems and excessive drinking arising from poor working conditions may be contributing to the trend of Nigerian policemen killing their colleagues.