The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Inspector Osumah Frank, a police officer captured in a viral video making politically charged and ethnically derogatory remarks about former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The Command said on Friday, September 25, 2026, that disciplinary proceedings had commenced against the inspector in accordance with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.
The development followed widespread public reaction to a video circulating on social media in which the officer, while travelling in what appeared to be a public transport vehicle and wearing police uniform, made comments about Obi and the possibility of an Igbo person becoming President of Nigeria.
The Lagos Command, through its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, identified the officer as Inspector Osumah Frank and described the remarks as inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of police personnel.
According to reports on the viral footage, the officer stated that an Igbo person could not become President of Nigeria and specifically criticised Obi, who is expected to contest the 2027 presidential election under the NDC.
The remarks generated significant discussion online, particularly because the speaker appeared in police uniform while expressing political views and making comments concerning an ethnic group. Reports on the video also said that some passengers could be heard speaking Igbo and objecting to or condemning the officer’s comments.
The Lagos State Police Command’s confirmation brought an official response to earlier reports in which the identity and status of the man in the video had not been independently established.
The Command said the statements attributed to Inspector Frank were made in his personal capacity and should not be interpreted as representing the official position of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force,” Adebisi said in the statement.
“It also wishes to make it clear that the statements made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.”
The police response was also reported by national media outlets, which identified Frank as the officer shown in the video and confirmed that disciplinary action had commenced.
In the video, the officer was heard making categorical statements about Obi’s presidential ambition and the prospect of an Igbo person occupying Nigeria’s highest political office.
Among the remarks attributed to him was the statement that an Igbo person could never become President of Nigeria. He also made allegations against Obi, including references to internet fraud and ritual activities.
Those allegations were made by the officer in the video and have not been established by the police statement or by the reports confirming his arrest.
The officer also discussed the 2027 presidential contest in partisan terms, referring to the political rivalry involving President Bola Tinubu, African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Obi. He questioned Obi’s political standing and suggested that the contest should be limited to other political figures.
Reports on the video said the officer further claimed that even if Obi won an election, political forces could prevent him from assuming office. Such statements represent the officer’s assertions in the recording and do not constitute established facts about the 2027 election or its possible outcome.
The comments attracted particular attention because of the officer’s apparent status as a serving police personnel. Social media users questioned whether a uniformed police officer should publicly express partisan political views while on a public journey.
According to the Lagos Command, Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated the need for police personnel to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public.
Adebisi said the commissioner also emphasised that wearing the police uniform carries responsibilities beyond the individual officer, including the obligation to protect the dignity and integrity of the police institution.
“The Command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police,” Adebisi said.
The Command added that it remained committed to transparency, accountability and what it described as “policing with humility and integrity.”
The disciplinary process will determine the appropriate administrative consequences, based on the applicable regulations governing police personnel.
The incident has also renewed attention to the conduct expected of security personnel during periods of heightened political activity.
With Nigeria preparing for the 2027 general elections, political debates have increasingly involved questions of ethnicity, regional representation, party competition and the role of state institutions. Statements by serving security personnel can attract particular scrutiny because the police are expected to carry out their duties without partisan preference.
The controversy surrounding Inspector Frank therefore extends beyond the contents of the viral video to questions about institutional discipline and public confidence in the police.
The Lagos Command’s decision to identify the officer and commence disciplinary action provides an official response to the controversy after the footage generated widespread public attention.
Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election. He is now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 presidential election.
His political activities have made him a prominent participant in the emerging 2027 presidential contest, alongside candidates from other political parties.
The controversy involving Inspector Frank, however, is separate from the political merits or prospects of any candidate. The immediate issue before the Lagos Police Command is the conduct of a serving officer and whether his statements breached applicable professional and disciplinary rules.
The police have made clear that the remarks do not represent the official position of the Force.
As the disciplinary proceedings continue, the case is likely to remain a subject of public interest, particularly because it involves political expression, ethnic references and the conduct of a uniformed security officer.
For the Lagos State Police Command, the stated position is that police personnel must uphold professionalism and respect for members of the public regardless of their political, ethnic or other affiliations.
The Command’s action against Inspector Frank is therefore being handled as a disciplinary matter under police regulations, while the political and ethnic claims contained in the viral video remain statements attributable to the individual officer rather than official positions of the Nigeria Police Force.
