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The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested some travellers for allegedly obstructing police officers on duty and spreading false claims that officers attacked and robbed them along Awo-Iropora Road, Igede-Ekiti.
The arrests followed a video circulating on social media in which four passengers accused officers of the Safer Highway Patrol of threatening them with knives and cutlasses, assaulting and robbing them.
In a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Sunday Abutu, described the allegations as false, misleading and unfounded.
Abutu said preliminary investigation showed that no officer was armed with a knife or cutlass, no passenger was assaulted, and no robbery was committed.
The statement reads, “To set the record straight, on 7th November 2026, at about 1200hrs, a Safer Highway Patrol Team 004, while conducting routine stop-and-search operations along Awo-Iropora Road, Igede-Ekiti, flagged down two Toyota Hiace buses for routine checks and requested their vehicle documents.
“Rather than produce the requested documents, four occupants allegedly resorted to recording the officers, shouting at them and making unsubstantiated allegations of theft and armed robbery. They also falsely claimed that the officers were armed with knives and cutlasses. One of the occupants, identified as Seriki Sikirulahi “32yrs”, subsequently uploaded the video on TikTok, thereby generating misleading narratives and unnecessary public reactions against the Police.
“A review of the video revealed that the officers conducted themselves professionally and in accordance with established police procedures. At no point was any officer seen wielding a knife or cutlass, assaulting any passenger or engaging in any act of robbery.”
The command condemned the deliberate misrepresentation of police activities, particularly the use of selective video recordings to incite the public against officers performing lawful duties.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to record public activities, the command said such rights must not be abused to obstruct officers, spread false information or incite hostility.
The command said suspects have been arrested and are currently undergoing investigation in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Adegoroye Micheal.
The command reiterated that its officers would not be intimidated or deterred by deliberate attempts to misrepresent their lawful activities.
“They remain committed to carrying out their statutory responsibilities professionally, impartially and with respect for the rights of all citizens.
“Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the misleading narrative, remain calm and cooperate with police officers carrying out legitimate security duties,” the statement further reads.
