A shocking video circulating on social media has ignited widespread outrage in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, after several police officers were filmed allegedly seizing a young man’s vehicle during a routine traffic stop Asaba, January, 2026.
According tyo reports, the incident which unfolded on a busy road in the heart of the city, has raised serious questions about police professionalism, accountability, and the abuse of power in everyday law enforcement operations.
Eyewitnesses recount that the confrontation began when the officers flagged down the driver, identified only as a young man in his mid-20s, for what appeared to be a minor traffic violation.
Grainy Phone Footage Captures Heated Police Clash
Tensions escalated quickly into a heated altercation, captured in grainy footage from a bystander’s phone.
In the video, the officers can be seen surrounding the vehicle, demanding keys and documents amid raised voices.
Without apparent resolution, they overpowered the driver, entered the car, and sped off, leaving the owner scrambling after them on foot in a desperate bid to retrieve his property.
The dramatic scene, lasting less than two minutes, ends with the young man shouting pleas as the vehicle disappears into traffic.
The footage, which has garnered over 50,000 views on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok within hours of posting, depicts a stark power imbalance.
Commentators online have labeled it “highway robbery in uniform,” amplifying calls for immediate intervention.
“This is not policing; it’s predation,” one viral post read, echoing sentiments from residents who view such incidents as symptomatic of deeper systemic issues.
Public Outrage Erupts Over Police Action
Public reaction has been swift and condemnatory.
Local traders near the scene, speaking anonymously to reporters, described the event as “heartbreaking.”
One vendor, who witnessed the stop, said, “The young man was polite at first, explaining he had all his papers.
But the officers didn’t care, they just wanted the car. I’ve seen stops like this before, but never one this brazen.”
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In response to the growing uproar, Delta State Police Command spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, addressed the incident in a statement released late yesterday.
“This is unprofessional. I have gone to their base, and the vehicle is not there.
However, the command already looks into the issue, and proper actions will follow, Edafe confirmed during a phone interview.
He emphasized that the command’s disciplinary unit actively investigates the formally reported matter.
“We assure the public that if the officers are found culpable, appropriate measures will be enforced without delay,” he added, urging citizens to provide any additional footage or details.
As of this morning, the vehicle’s whereabouts remain unknown, with the owner reportedly filing a formal complaint at the Asaba Divisional Police Station.
Police Launch Internal Probe into Asaba Seizure
Sources within the command indicate that internal probes are underway, including reviews of body camera footage, if available, and statements from the involved officers.
Edafe Reaffirms Police Professionalism Under 2020 Act, ACJA 2015 Protocols for Stops, Searches
This episode occurs against a backdrop of ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s law enforcement landscape.
Police Act 2020 Mandates Officer Identification, Receipts
The Police Act 2020 mandates that officers must identify themselves, explain the reason for any stop, and issue official receipts for seized items.
Violations can lead to dismissal or prosecution. Yet, incidents like this persist, often fueled by allegations of extortion.
2024 Police Report: 1,200+ Officers Disciplined for Misconduct, Unauthorized Seizures Last Year.
In Delta State, a region plagued by oil theft, kidnapping, and communal clashes, police stops are commonplace, but trust remains fragile.
Legal experts have chimed in, framing the Asaba case within Nigeria’s constitutional protections.
Human rights lawyer, Barrister Ese Ogbebor, told reporters, “Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution safeguards against unlawful deprivation of property.
Forcing a citizen’s vehicle without due process or documentation is not just unprofessional; it’s potentially criminal.
The command must recover the vehicle and prosecute if theft is proven.”
Ogbebor Cites 2023 Lagos Officer Sacking Case
Ogbebor referenced similar cases, such as a 2023 Lagos incident where officers seized a motorist’s car for “safe-keeping” that never materialized and then got sacked.
Broader data underscores the pattern.
According to a 2025 Amnesty International report on policing in Nigeria, 68% of surveyed citizens reported experiencing harassment during traffic stops, with 22% alleging property theft.
Report Urges Body Cams, Oversight Boards, Digital Seizure Logs Nationwide by Mid-2026.
Civil society advocates argue that such promises ring hollow without enforcement.
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Many remain unresolved, eroding public faith.
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He called for the immediate suspension of the officers and public hearings to restore confidence.
From the police perspective, challenges abound.
Delta State recorded a 15% uptick in vehicle thefts last year, per police statistics, prompting aggressive patrols.
SP Edafe acknowledged these pressures but stressed, “No justification exists for abandoning protocol.
We’re training officers on de-escalation and rights awareness to prevent repeats.”
As the investigation unfolds, the young man’s ordeal highlights the human cost.
Friends describe him as a struggling entrepreneur, relying on the vehicle for deliveries in Asaba’s bustling markets.
Vehicle Loss Crushes Nigerian Livelihoods
Losing it abruptly disrupts his livelihood, a plight shared by countless Nigerians.
Recovery efforts are ongoing, with community leaders mobilizing to assist.
This incident reignites national discourse on police accountability.
Will Delta Command’s probe yield justice, or fade into obscurity?
History suggests the latter, but public vigilance, fueled by smartphones and social media, offers hope.
For now, Asaba residents urge caution on the roads, a grim reality in a nation striving for safer policing.
The Delta State Police Command has promised updates within 48 hours.
WahalaUpdate will monitor developments and report accordingly.
