The State Government of Osun on Sunday reacted to a viral video that captured two uniformed men physically assaulting a female citizen at the Odo Ori Market, in Iwo, Osun State.

The two officers brutalised the woman, Tola Azeez, while she was trying to buy drugs for her relatives at a pharmacy on Saturday, during coronavirus lockdown.

In a statement signed Funke Egbemode, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, the State Government condemned the act.

The statement noted that the two Police Officers, identified as Inspector Ikuesan Taiwo with AP NO 251724 and PC Abass Ibrahim with Force No. 509634, went overboard in the discharge of their duties.

The statement said such a wicked act is not permitted in democracy.

The statement reads in part: “This is a democracy, and the State of Osun is a decent society where men in or out of uniform should not and cannot whimsically flog women – even men.

“We note that police authorities have condemned the unwarranted actions of these men. The State Government likewise condemns the unacceptable conduct of these policemen.

“The culprits are currently being detained and their orderly room trial has since commenced. The full weight of the law will be deployed to address this illegal, unfortunate behavior of these law enforcers.

“The State Government of Osun hereby warns all that no one is licensed under the law to harass, assault, battery or visit violence on any citizen, men and women. It is especially reprehensible when the victim is a helpless lady who is not known to have offended the law in any way.

“The State Government hereby appreciates the Inspector General of Police, IGP M. A. Adamu, and the Commissioner of Police in the State of Osun, CP Johnson Kokumo, for the prompt response in redressing the assault as shown in the viral video.

“The State Government also appreciates all Law Enforcement Agencies for their cooperation with the government during the period of the lockdown, and wishes to encourage Officers and men of these agencies to enforce the lockdown conscientiously and within the ambience of the law.

“We owe our people the duty of care to save them from COVID-19 and other dangers without assaulting their rights to personal liberty.”