CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Public Relations Officer for the Police Force, has stated that no Nigerian has the right to confront or retaliate against police officers, even if the officer slapped a "civilian."
The Force PRO recommended any such victim of police brutality to instead submit a complaint with the law enforcement organisation in a Twitter message.
He was responding to a popular video on his phone of a man hauling a gun beside a police officer during a violent dispute and possible groping.
Adejobi added that it would be viewed as "an act of disrespect to Nigeria" if someone attacked a police officer who was wearing a uniform.
He said: “Even if a policeman in uniform slaps a civilian, the civilian has no right to retaliate. More so, if he’s in the uniform, it’s an act of disrespect to Nigeria to beat an officer in the uniform.
“The disrespect is not to the policeman but to our nation and it’s a crime as enshrined in our criminal laws
“So, it’s not a case of what the policeman did that led to it, but the reaction of the civilians who actually assaulted the police.
“If police assault a civilian, you report and actions will be taken to rebuke him, not to take the law into your hands. (sic)
“Let alone, it’s a matter of checking phones, which can be easily reported and addressed. Now they are kept in our 5-star hotel in Lagos and will be in court on Monday.
“Are you going to visit them or send them food, or appear in court to defend them? Don’t support what is bad, ok”