The Kano State Police Command has announced disciplinary measures against five of its officers who were captured in a viral video assisting a politician in distributing cash to members of the public.
The footage, which has sparked widespread criticism, shows the uniformed officers helping to organise a crowd while money was being shared. Many Nigerians had linked the incident to the just-concluded re-run and by-elections in Kano, raising questions about police neutrality.
But in a statement on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the Command clarified that the incident had no connection to the elections. Instead, investigations revealed that the video was recorded on July 10, 2025, during a ceremony at the Coronation Hall of the Kano State Government House.
Police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, explained that the officers in question were officially deployed to provide security at the event. However, they were regrettably caught on camera engaging in “unprofessional conduct” while on duty.
“This behaviour falls short of the standards expected of police officers,” Kiyawa said. “We have initiated appropriate disciplinary actions to preserve the integrity and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The Command’s response comes after days of heated debate online, with many users calling for accountability. Civil society groups had also raised concerns that such actions, if unchecked, could further erode public trust in law enforcement institutions.
By confirming that disciplinary proceedings are underway, the Kano Police Command sought to reassure the public that misconduct within its ranks would not go unpunished.
“We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and ethics,” the statement added. “The trust and confidence of the public in the police must never be taken for granted.”
Observers say the incident has once again put the spotlight on the challenge of professionalism in Nigeria’s policing system, especially during politically sensitive periods.
While the officers’ actions did not occur during the elections, analysts argue that their conduct fuels the perception of a partisan police force, a perception the Command is now working hard to dispel.
Community leaders in Kano have welcomed the Command’s intervention, urging that the disciplinary actions be thorough and transparent. They stressed that only accountability can restore public faith in the Force.
The statement also provided emergency contact numbers, encouraging the public to reach out with complaints, reports, or clarifications about police operations in the state.
For many residents, this move signals a growing willingness by the police to confront internal lapses rather than sweep them under the carpet.
However, critics maintain that disciplinary actions must be consistent, not selective, if the Force truly hopes to rebuild credibility.
As the process unfolds, the outcome of the disciplinary measures against the five officers will be closely watched as a test of the police leadership’s resolve to match words with action.