The Imo State Police Command has apprehended three of its personnel accused of belonging to the Vikings confraternity, after a viral video surfaced showing them donning the group’s insignia.
The officersz, Inspector Obinna Peter, Corporal Amaechi Augustine, and Corporal Ejikeme Victor, are currently in custody and will face an orderly room trial at the command headquarters on Monday.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the State Police Command’s Spokesperson, Henry Okoye, said the arrests followed a directive from the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who ordered a full-scale investigation into what he described as “a blatant act of unprofessionalism.”
“The behaviour exhibited in the viral video is grossly unprofessional and goes against the core values, ethics, and discipline of the Nigeria Police Force,” Okoye stated. “The outcome of the orderly room trial will be made public in due course.”
The controversial clip, first shared by anti-cultism advocacy group NaijaConfra, sparked outrage online.
The group condemned the officers’ actions, describing it as a “shameful display” that undermines the integrity of law enforcement.
“These are police officers in Owerri openly disgracing the force by identifying with Vikings (DNKI), a deadly cult group responsible for numerous killings across Nigeria,” NaijaConfra wrote. “How can such officers be trusted to combat cultism when they are cultists themselves?”
Meanwhile, the Imo State Government has said it will await the outcome of the police investigation before taking any action.
Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachukwu, told The PUNCH that the administration supports the ongoing inquiry.
“The police have already launched an investigation into the matter, which is commendable. It’s only proper to wait for the findings before the government proceeds,” he said.
