Kogi police say viral 'police don buy soja job' video is from 2023
- Kogi police say a viral video of officers being arrested is old footage from the 2023 governorship election.
- The officers were attached to then Deputy Speaker Ahmed Ahmed and were held by soldiers over election movement rules.
- The command urged Nigerians to verify videos before sharing them online.
The Kogi State Police Command has said a video circulating on social media with the caption "Police Don Buy Soja Job" is not a recent incident. In a statement on Friday, the command said the footage dates back to the 2023 Kogi State governorship election.
The command's spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, said the video shows police officers who were attached to the then Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Ahmed. The officers had travelled with him to his hometown, Abache, so he could vote.
According to the statement, soldiers deployed for election duties arrested the officers in connection with the restriction of movement during the poll. The officers were taken into custody, and the matter was later moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The police said they issued the clarification because the old footage was being shared without its history, giving the false impression that the incident had just happened.
Why it matters
Election periods in Nigeria often bring tight movement restrictions and heavy security presence. Old videos that resurface without context can make it look as if police and soldiers are in fresh conflict, which can raise tension as the country moves toward the 2027 general election.
The command said it currently has a strong working relationship with the military and other security agencies in the state. It described that partnership as central to joint operations and public safety.
It warned that recycling outdated footage in a way that suggests disagreement between security agencies is counterproductive and could weaken the cooperation built over time.
The police urged members of the public and social media users to confirm the authenticity and context of information before sharing it, and to stop using old materials to mislead people.
The command added that it remains committed to professionalism, accountability and working with other agencies to protect lives and property.
What happens next
There is no indication from the sources of any new investigation into the 2023 incident. The police are asking Nigerians to treat the video as old footage and to check before forwarding similar clips.
