The Nigeria Police Force has faced backlash from Nigerians after denying allegations that its officers were involved in a viral video showing uniformed personnel scooping fuel from a crashed tanker.
The video, less than a min#ute long, surfaced online on Monday. It showed an overturned fuel tanker by the roadside, with individuals in what appeared to be police uniforms transferring fuel into jerrycans and loading them into a van parked nearby.
While the location and timing of the incident remain unverified, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, dismissed claims linking the individuals in the video to the Nigeria Police. He explained that the event occurred outside Nigeria, involving uniformed personnel from a neighboring Francophone country.
Adejobi clarified that the uniforms seen in the video resembled those of the Nigeria Police but belonged to personnel from another country. He added that the individuals were speaking French, not English or any Nigerian language.
“The video circulating online was deliberately released to discredit the Nigeria Police Force. Those shown in the footage are not NPF officers but uniformed personnel from a Francophone nation,” Adejobi stated.
He emphasized that the Nigeria Police, under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, upholds professionalism, discipline, and public safety, condemning the spread of misinformation aimed at tarnishing the force’s image.
Despite the police’s explanation, many Nigerians took to social media to express skepticism. On X.com, some users questioned the denial and the uncanny resemblance of the uniforms to those of Nigerian officers.
@Dwizardking: “If they are not police, who are they? Even with clear VAR evidence, the Nigerian police will still deny something.”
@Horlar_SefPaid: “Let’s not forget that these people also have families to feed. But lying to cover them up is what I don’t understand. This government lacks integrity; they can lie at any point in life. Imagine seeing blue, but they’re telling us it’s white.”
The police urged Nigerians to verify information before sharing, calling for unity and support for institutions tasked with ensuring public safety.
“We appeal to all Nigerians to confirm facts before dissemination, fostering unity and maintaining the credibility of institutions working tirelessly for the safety of the public,” the statement concluded.
The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges of public trust and accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies.
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