Nigeria Police breaks silence on officers in fuel scooping viral video
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed claims regarding a viral video allegedly showing its personnel scooping fuel from an overturned tanker.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF clarified that the individuals seen in the footage are not members of the Nigerian police. Instead, they are uniformed personnel from a neighboring Francophone country whose camouflage uniforms resemble those of the NPF.
Further evidence debunking the claims includes the language spoken by the officers in the video, identified as French rather than English or any Nigerian language, confirming their lack of affiliation with the Nigerian Police Force.
The Force then denounced the spread of such disinformation and unverified news and contents aimed at tarnishing or discrediting the image of the Nigeria Police.
The statement reads:
The viral video circulating in the media that depicts uniformed personnel in camouflage scooping fuel from the wreckage of an accidented tanker was just released to discredit the Nigeria Police Force. It is essential to clarify that the individuals in the video are not officers of the Nigeria Police Force. They are uniformed personnel from a neighbouring francophone country whose camouflage uniforms bear a resemblance to the Nigeria Police’s. The captured officers were speaking in french languages, not a Nigerian language or English.
We strongly condemn the spread of such disinformation and unverified news and contents aimed at tarnishing or discrediting the image of the Nigeria Police Force. Such actions not only undermine the integrity of the force but also have far-reaching negative consequences for the nation and its people.
The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the IGP, remains committed to upholding discipline, professionalism, and dedication to the safety and security of all Nigerians. Acts that compromise the reputation of the force are unequivocally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We urge all Nigerians to exercise caution and verify information before sharing it, to foster national unity and uphold the credibility of institutions working tirelessly for public safety.
