A Nigerian police officer has been detained after a viral video showed him allegedly making an ethnic remark while conducting a routine vehicle document inspection.

The video, which has circulated widely on social media, captured the officer inspecting a motorist’s vehicle documents and driver’s licence before allegedly returning all the documents except the driver’s licence.

When the motorist questioned why his licence had not been returned, the officer allegedly made a gesture suggesting he wanted money. He then reportedly told the driver:

“If you were Igbo or someone else, I would have detained you.”

The motorist insisted that all his documents were complete and valid.

The officer later claimed that the goods being transported lacked a waybill. However, the driver maintained that customs duties had already been paid on the items after they were duly inspected by the relevant authorities.

The incident triggered widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians condemning both the alleged attempt at extortion and the officer’s ethnic remark.

Reacting to the viral video, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed that the officer had been identified and detained pending disciplinary action.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, wrote on X:

“Good Morning Esteemed, The Ondo State Police Command @OndoPoliceNg has identified the team and necessary action is ongoing. We say #NoToImpunity #CitizensAreTheBoss.”

The police have yet to disclose the specific disciplinary measures being taken or the outcome of the ongoing investigation.