- Police officer accused of stealing is seen injured as crowd shouts “Ole” in viral video.
- Crowd confrontation escalates while other officers try to calm the situation.
- No official police statement yet on the alleged theft or location.
- Human rights groups warn that mob justice puts suspects at serious risk.
A disturbing video making the rounds on social media has captured the moment a police officer accused of stealing was confronted and dragged by an angry crowd. The footage shows the officer visibly injured as several people surround him, repeatedly shouting “Ole!”; the Yoruba word for thief.
The incident, which has spread rapidly across WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter), shows the officer struggling on the ground while some onlookers attempt to shield him. A few uniformed personnel are also seen pleading with the mob to calm down as the tension grows.
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So far, there are no verified details about what the officer supposedly stole, where the confrontation took place, or what led to the violent scene. The Nigeria Police Force has not issued any official statement addressing the incident.
For many Nigerians who viewed the clip, the video echoes long-standing frustrations with the justice system and the country’s repeated cases of police misconduct. It also underlines the volatile relationship between security agencies and the public.
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Human rights advocates have urged caution, reminding the public that mob actions often lead to wrongful punishments. “No matter how angry people are, suspects must be handed over to the authorities,” one rights advocate said. “Mob justice only creates more victims.”
This is not the first time a video involving public confrontation with a uniformed officer has gone viral. But the graphic nature of the clip and the officer’s injuries have reignited conversations about accountability, public anger, and the dangerous rise of street justice
