The police in Delta State have launched an investigation into an incident involving officers who allegedly slapped and shot the Student Union Government (SUG) President of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Eruru Christian, over a N500 bribe.
The altercation, which was captured in videos shared by an X.com user, #ChuksEricE, reportedly began when police officers approached the SUG president and demanded money.
When he refused to comply, they allegedly assaulted him and later fired a shot in the air.
In one of the videos, Christian can be heard confronting the officers, saying, “You slapped me because I refused to settle you. You will see what you have never seen in your life before. Ogwashi-Uku divisional police slapped me, SUG president, because I refused to settle them in my vehicle.”
In another clip, he continues, “They are running inside the bush, look at them—criminals. They are threatening to shoot me, SUG president. Look at you, criminals. The whole world is going to see you,” just as a policeman steps out of a vehicle and fires a shot into the air.
Reacting to the incident, the command’s spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, confirmed that an investigation had commenced and that the officer accused of assaulting the student leader had been detained.
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“While we are looking into this incident, his allegations of them asking for N500 remain an allegation and are being investigated. He said they hit him, which is also wrong, and the officer is presently detained,” Edafe wrote on X.com on Monday.
However, the police spokesperson also criticized the SUG president’s conduct, arguing that referring to the officers as “criminals” and “thieves” was inappropriate, particularly as they had been deployed to the area due to recent kidnapping incidents.
“We should not encourage the behaviour of the SUG president being so hostile to policemen deployed because of kidnapping complaints in that area,” Edafe stated.
“Calling policemen on their lawful duty criminals and thieves is wrong. He continued to do so even after they had left him. This too should be discouraged. The command is looking into the incident, and the police shooting was wrong.”
