Police demote officer spotted ‘praising’ cult group in Tik-Tok video

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has demoted an officer spotted flaunting his rifle in a dance video.

On May 7, a corporal was seen in a viral Tik-Tok video dancing, singing, and brandishing his service rifle.

The officer, who was later identified as Isaac Mathew, is attached to Ebonyi state police command.

In a statement addressing the development, the NPF said Mathew has been demoted from corporal to constable.

The NPF said he was sanctioned for discreditable conduct, promoting secret cults, and violation of its social media policy.

According to the statement, the song playing in the background of the video was in praise of a secret confraternity.

The force said the decision to sanction Mathew followed the outcome of an orderly room trial.

“[It also followed] a review of the recommended punishment for the offences of discreditable conduct, promoting secret cults, and violation of the social media policy (SMP) of the Nigeria police force,” the statement reads.

“The force is currently looking into many other disciplinary cases of unprofessionalism and misconduct by officers in encounters with members of the public.

“Orderly room trials are ongoing and decisions reached at the end of such trials will be made known as the current police administration is committed to a transparent, accountable, and proactive policing system in Nigeria.

“The Inspector-general of police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, therefore charges all police officers to uphold professional ethics, discipline, and the ideals of the Nigeria Police Force.

“He further charges them to be committed to self-discipline in line with the IGP’s policing agenda of ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standards, enhancement of anti-corruption drive.”