THE Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has sanctioned a Corporal serving in Ebonyi State, Isaac Matthew, for dancing in a Tiktok video and brandishing a gun in praise of a secret cult group.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Sunday that Matthew’s rank has been reduced from Corporal to Constable following the incident.
“The Nigeria Police Force has approved the punishment of reduction in rank from Corporal to Constable for Isaac Mathew attached to Ebonyi State Police Command. The officer was caught in a viral TikTok video on May 7, 2022, dressed in full Police uniform while singing, dancing and brandishing an AK47 rifle in praise of a secret confraternity.
“This decision follows the outcome of the Orderly Room Trial of the concerned officer and a review of the recommended punishment for the offences of Discreditable Conduct, Promoting Secret Cults and violation of the Social Media Policy (SMP) of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said.
Adejobi also noted that the NPF is dealing with other cases of misconduct by policemen and urged them to be committed to self discipline, and uphold the professional ethics of the Force.
“The Force is currently looking into many other disciplinary cases of unprofessionalism and misconduct by officers in encounters with members of the public.
“Meanwhile, orderly room trials are ongoing and decisions reached at the end of such trials will be made known as the current police administration is committed to a transparent, accountable and proactive policing system in Nigeria
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, therefore charges all police officers to uphold professional ethics, discipline and the ideals of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement added.
Last month, a Tiktok video in which Matthew was singing and dancing to a song in honour of a secret cult group, while dressed in his police uniform had gone viral on the internet.
The video had been condemned by the IGP who ordered his immediate arrest.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.