The Police Command in Imo has taken decisive action by demoting Sgt. Anayo Ekezie to Corporal for his involvement in the brutal assault of a middle-aged man using a smoke gunner.

This was revealed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, in a statement issued on Thursday in Owerri.

Okoye said that the officer was recognized in a widely circulated video depicting police officers attacking the young man along the Owerri–Aba Road. In response, the command has initiated disciplinary measures against the involved officers. Other officers featured in the assault video include Insp Ofem Obongha and Insp Obinna Okereke, both from the Safer Highway Unit.

Following a thorough investigation, the command held a formal trial in accordance with the Nigeria Police Force’s disciplinary rules. Sgt. Ekezie was found guilty of using his assigned smoke gunner during the incident and has been demoted to Corporal.

Inspectors Obongha and Okereke received harsh reprimands for their inadequate supervisory oversight, which allowed unprofessional conduct to occur.

Commissioner of Police Mr. Aboki Danjuma voiced his discontent with the officers’ actions, deeming them a breach of the Force’s Code of Conduct and human rights standards. He reiterated the firm zero-tolerance policy against police misconduct and promised that appropriate actions would be taken against those responsible. Okoye urged the public to report any cases of police misconduct via the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), X-Squad Unit, or by calling 08033424051, 0814 802 4755. The police spokesman emphasized the command’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and protecting citizens’ rights.