FCT Commissioner of Police redeploys DPO caught on tape ass@ulting man

FCT Police Commissioner Swiftly Redeploys DPO Caught on Viral Video Slapping Detainee in Ushafa

In a decisive crackdown on police misconduct, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police CP Miller Dantawaye has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ushafa Division after a shocking video surfaced showing the officer slapping an arrested man. The incident, which ignited nationwide fury on social media, underscores Nigeria’s ongoing battle against police brutality, echoing the ghosts of the 2020 #EndSARS protests.

The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on October 22, 2025, captured the unnamed DPO repeatedly slapping the young detainee during what appeared to be a routine arrest in Ushafa, a semi-rural suburb of Abuja. Within hours, it amassed over 500,000 views, prompting swift action from the FCT Police Command. By October 23 morning, an official statement confirmed the DPO’s removal from operational duties, redeployed to the Command Headquarters pending a full investigation.

Official Statement: Zero Tolerance for Abuse

Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh issued the communiqué, quoting CP Dantawaye: “The conduct exhibited by the DPO is unacceptable and falls short of the high standards of discipline, civility, and professionalism expected of officers in the Nigeria Police Force.” The statement emphasized that “administrative disciplinary actions have commenced,” with the commissioner vowing “severe sanctions” for any proven misconduct.

Dantawaye reiterated the command’s commitment to community policing, urging residents to report abuses via hotlines: 08061581938, 08032003913, 08107314192, or 112. “We will not tolerate any form of abuse of power,” he affirmed, signaling a proactive stance amid rising public scrutiny.

Timeline of the Incident and Response

Date/TimeEvent
Oct 22, 2025 (Evening)Video surfaces on X showing DPO slapping detainee during Ushafa arrest.
Oct 22 (Midnight)Video goes viral; #PoliceBrutalityNG trends with 100K+ mentions.
Oct 23 (Morning)FCT Police statement announces redeployment and investigation launch.
Oct 23 (Afternoon)SERAP, Amnesty demand full prosecution; public petitions hit 20K signatures.
OngoingInternal probe; DPO at HQ; community town hall planned for Oct 25.

Echoes of Recent Redeployments: A Pattern Emerges

This isn’t isolated—Nigeria’s police chiefs are increasingly using redeployments as a rapid-response tool to viral exposés:

  • Oct 21, 2025: Ondo CP Adebowale Lawal redeployed Enu-Owa DPO after influencer Mandykiss filmed herself “arresting” a mother-daughter duo over an online spat.
  • April 2025: Ondo CP removed Igbara-Oke DPO over extortion claims.
  • Feb 2025: Lagos CP Ishola Olawale yanked Ijeshatedo DPO for shielding gun-toting suspects tied to a politician.

Human rights advocates like SERAP’s Adetokunbo Mumuni hailed the move but warned: “Redeployment is step one—prosecution is justice.” Amnesty International called it “a positive signal but insufficient without systemic reform under the Police Act 2020.”

Public Outrage: Social Media Storm and Calls for Accountability

X erupted: @NaijaRightsWatch’s post (“DPO slaps citizen like it’s 2020—#EndSARS2.0!”) garnered 25K likes and 10K retweets. Influencers like @DeleMomodu demanded body cams nationwide, while #JusticeForUshafa trended with 50K posts. A Change.org petition for the DPO’s dismissal hit 15K signatures in 24 hours.

Communities in Ushafa (pop. 50K+) rallied, with locals boycotting police stations and demanding apologies. Economically, it erodes trust in Abuja’s suburbs, where petty arrests fuel small business fears. Lifestyle strains: Routine stops now evoke terror, straining family ties in a city of 3M+. Politically, it pressures IG Kayode Egbetokun ahead of 2027 polls. Technologically, the video’s virality highlights smartphone accountability—90% of brutality exposés now start on X (per SERAP data).

For the victim—an unidentified 20-something—the slap symbolizes deeper woes: No medical aid reported, potential charges dropped amid backlash. Broader stats? Nigeria Police received 1,200 brutality complaints in H1 2025 (NHRC), with only 15% resolved.

Path Forward: From Redeployment to Reform?

CP Dantawaye’s Oct 25 town hall could de-escalate, but experts eye fuller measures: Mandatory body cams (piloted in Lagos, $50M rollout eyed), de-escalation training (NIJ VR-inspired), and independent oversight. If prosecuted, the DPO faces 3-5 years under the Anti-Torture Act.

This Ushafa slap isn’t just a video—it’s a litmus test for Nigeria’s police renaissance. Redeployment buys time; real change demands the gavel.

By Sam Michael

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