The Imo State Police Command has arrested three officers accused of being linked to the Vikings confraternity after a viral video showed them wearing cult insignia.
The officers, identified as 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.
Police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday, saying the action followed an investigation ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who described the video as “an unacceptable display of unprofessionalism.”
He said, “The conduct displayed in the viral video is highly unprofessional and does not reflect the discipline, ethics, and values of the Nigeria Police Force. The outcome of the orderly room trial will be communicated to the public in due course.”
The viral clip, first shared by the anti-cultism group NaijaConfra, sparked widespread outrage online. The group accused the officers of openly promoting a violent cult group while serving in uniform.
In its post, NaijaConfra wrote, “These are police officers in Owerri, Imo State, openly disgracing the Nigerian Police Force by engaging in cult activities. They are boldly wearing Vikings (DNKI) berets and caps — a deadly cult group responsible for countless killings across Nigeria. These same officers are often used to attack rivals during cult clashes. How can such officers arrest a Vikings cultist when they are members themselves?”
The Imo State Government has also reacted to the incident, saying it would await the result of the police investigation before taking any action.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachukwu, told journalists, “The police have said they are launching an investigation into the allegations, why don’t we wait until the outcome? Launching an investigation is something that ought to be commended. Let’s wait for the outcome, and the government can take it from there.”
