Nigerian actor and outspoken activist Mr Macaroni has once again raised his voice against police brutality, condemning the Nigerian Police Force over a disturbing viral video that captured officers assaulting a cab driver in Lagos State.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, was reportedly recorded by two passengers in the vehicle. It showed a police officer, seated in the front passenger seat, repeatedly slapping the driver before the situation escalated further.
According to eyewitness accounts, the officers later dragged the man out of his vehicle and across the road, continuing their assault in full public view.
Clearly angered by the video, Mr Macaroni took to X (formerly Twitter) on May 19, 2025, to express his outrage and disappointment.
“Nobody should be treated like this!!! Just look at this barbarism!!! Will you people ever change???” he wrote, tagging the official handle of the Nigerian Police Force, @PoliceNG.
In a follow-up post, he didn’t mince words: “Nigerian Police!!! Please have some shame!” His posts quickly gained traction, igniting a wave of public criticism against the police and shining renewed light on systemic abuse within the force.
The viral clip triggered a fresh outpouring of anger across social media, as Nigerians flooded the comment sections with their own harrowing experiences with law enforcement.
One user recounted a recent encounter in Port Harcourt, saying, “This same thing happened to me on Saturday 17/05/25 at Ozioba by AIT. A policeman named Uket O. Abam stopped me on my bike and asked me to give him ₦50,000 for riding without a plate number. I told him I didn’t have the money, and the situation got tense.”
The user’s story echoed the all-too-familiar script of extortion and intimidation faced by many citizens daily.
Another user lamented the deep-seated corruption within the police force, writing, “@PoliceNG una just corrupt. What’s really triggering your anger? Tell Nigerians so we can speak to the government for you. Since you can’t speak up for your rights, we the citizens will help you out.”
The sarcasm in the post underscored the general frustration many feel toward a force that seems increasingly disconnected from its duty to protect and serve.
These sentiments were echoed by others who see police aggression as misdirected frustration stemming from poor working conditions and lack of institutional accountability.
The comments grew more intense, with users expressing skepticism about any possibility of reform. “They can never ever change,” one wrote.
“They channel their frustrations on helpless citizens whose futures have already been destroyed by this illegitimate government. Instead of holding those in power accountable, these ‘olopa’ unleash their inner demons on the people.”
Another user described the behavior of the police as inherently savage, adding grimly, “You’re asking if savages can ever change from their savagery? I doubt it.”
This latest incident comes amid growing public discourse around police reform in Nigeria—an issue that gained international attention during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.
While authorities have made numerous promises to overhaul the system, many citizens feel the needle has barely moved.
Mr Macaroni, who has himself been a victim of police violence in the past, remains one of the most vocal advocates for police accountability.
As he continues to use his platform to call out injustice, many Nigerians are once again reminded that until structural change is made, the line between law enforcement and lawlessness remains dangerously blurred.
