LAGOS — The Nigeria Police Force is once again at the centre of a public relations crisis following a viral video recorded on May 1, 2026, showing an officer cocking his service rifle and hurling the derogatory slur “ashawo” at a female civilian during a heated roadside confrontation.
The incident, which reportedly occurred in the Ayobo area of Lagos, has sparked widespread condemnation across social media platforms. The footage shows a tactical officer in a green uniform acting with extreme aggression, brandishing a cane, and threatening unarmed citizens. In a move that sent shockwaves through observers, the officer is seen allegedly cocking his firearm—an act of lethal intent—despite no evidence of criminal activity or physical threat from the civilians present.
The audio from the scene is equally disturbing. As the officer advances, he is heard clearly shouting “ashawo” at a young woman, using the gender-based insult to degrade her in front of a growing crowd. The verbal assault, combined with the lethal show of force, created a scene of pure intimidation that many Nigerians say highlights the persistent culture of impunity within the force.
Public Demands Immediate Action
The reaction from the public has been swift and unforgiving. Thousands of Nigerians have taken to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to demand the immediate dismissal and prosecution of the officer. Many are also calling for a mandatory psychiatric evaluation, arguing that an officer who resorts to cocking a weapon and using such debasing language during a routine encounter is mentally unfit to carry a firearm.
“The word ‘ashawo’ is used by these officers to strip women of their dignity whenever they are challenged,” said one human rights activist in Lagos. “When you combine that verbal violence with a cocked rifle, you have a recipe for another extrajudicial killing. We cannot keep waiting for people to die before we take action.”
Police Headquarters Responds
The Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) has officially acknowledged the video and initiated an investigation. The unit has urged the public to provide further evidence to help pinpoint the specific unit and names of the personnel involved.
Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, who has previously vowed to weed out “unprofessional elements” from the force, is under intense pressure to make an example of this case. The Force Headquarters recently issued a reminder that recording police officers on duty is a legal right, and the evidence captured in this viral video is expected to be the primary basis for the upcoming disciplinary hearing.
As the investigation begins, the incident serves as a grim reminder that despite years of calls for reform, the gap between the Nigerian police and the citizens they are meant to protect remains dangerously wide.
