Nigerian Police respond to viral video of dismissed officer seen in leg restraints
The Nigeria Police Force has stated that it is aware of a viral video of one Vincent Makinde in leg restraint who claimed to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) detained without cause.
The clarification follows the appeal of a human rights activist, Femi Falana SAN.
The police clarified that prior to Makinde’s detention, he had been dismissed from his position as police inspector from the Nigeria police force following investigations of serious offences such as abuse of office, extortion, gross misconduct, dereliction of duty, and insubordination among others.
The police also stated that the use of restraining devices is a global practice for individuals actively, aggressively, or aggravatedly resisting lawful detention, hence the reason Makinde had leg restraints.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday, December 18.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force is aware of a viral video of one Vincent Makinde in leg restraint claiming he is an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) detained without cause, and a subsequent demand of his release by the renowned legal luminary and Human Rights Activist, Mr Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The police hereby clarify that contrary to the erroneous narrative, Vincent Makinde was dismissed as a Police Inspector from the Nigeria Police Force in 2022 following a thorough investigation and orderly room trial due to several serious offences such as abuse of office, extortion, gross misconduct, dereliction of duty, and insubordination among others.
“While awaiting the validation of orderly room proceedings and subsequent prosecution, Vincent Makinde assaulted a senior police officer on duty and subsequently escaped from lawful custody. Around June 2024, he resurfaced, parading himself as a bona fide member of the Nigeria Police Force, adorning the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police without being previously absolved of his offences or promoted. Being made aware of this, the Police authority issued a directive for his immediate re-arrest.
“The suspect was apprehended while personating himself as an active sworn senior police officer, and armed with a rifle. When approached by police operatives, Vincent Makinde exhibited violent and aggressive behaviour while resisting lawful arrest and detention. Upon his arrest, the suspect was restrained using feet restraining devices due to his continuous violent nature coupled with the fact that he had previously escaped from lawful custody in a violent manner. The officers deemed it necessary to employ the use of these restraints as a precaution to ensure the safety of the officers on duty, prevent another escape, and secure against any potential harm to him and others around him, that might arise from his aggressive demeanour.”
