The Ondo State Police Command has sought to calm tensions arising from the viral stop-and-search video involving its personnel, with leaders of the Igbo community and other non-indigenes expressing confidence in the ongoing investigation ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.
The assurance came on Monday when the leadership of the Non-Indigenes Assembly, Ondo State chapter, paid a solidarity visit to the Commissioner of Police at the State Police Headquarters in Akure following public outrage over the incident.
Led by its President, Mr Okita Isaac Onahi, and Secretary, Hon. Uche Anthony, the delegation commended the police command for swiftly identifying the officers involved and commencing an investigation, describing the move as evidence of transparency, accountability and respect for justice.
The group said the prompt intervention had reassured members of the Igbo community and other non-indigenes of the command's commitment to fairness and impartiality in handling the matter.
Receiving the delegation, Ohagwu thanked them for their confidence in the command and reiterated that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without bias.
"No officer is above the law. The ongoing investigation will be thorough, fair and transparent, while anyone found culpable will be sanctioned in accordance with the Nigeria Police Force disciplinary regulations," the commissioner said.
He also reaffirmed the command's commitment to protecting the rights of all residents irrespective of their ethnic, religious or cultural background, stressing that community policing remains central to the command's operations.
The police commissioner urged residents to remain peaceful, refrain from inflammatory comments capable of creating ethnic tension and continue supporting security agencies with credible information to enhance public safety.
The visit comes amid public scrutiny over the viral stop-and-search video, with the police command insisting that due process would be followed in determining the culpability of the officers involved.
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