A viral video showing police officers attempting to arrest a man in Benin City, Edo State, has sparked reactions from the public. According to an X user who shared the video, the officers were allegedly trying to extort the man and only stopped when a crowd gathered to challenge them. The user claimed the officers fled the scene, leaving the man behind after the crowd raised an alarm.

However, the Nigeria Police spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, responded to these claims, stating that the man is a murder suspect. Adejobi explained that the officers involved were part of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and were on official duty. The team is investigating the killing of a police officer at the Benin airport in July.

The police had a warrant for the man’s arrest, but Adejobi said they were forced to leave when the crowd became overwhelming. He emphasized that the suspect will still be arrested and urged him to turn himself in to address the allegations.

Adejobi assured the public that the officers were acting within the law and were not involved in any wrongdoing during the incident. He reiterated that the man will face justice, and the case remains under investigation.