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| Inspector Michael attacks wife for fees |
Inspector Michael is attached to MOPOL 39 Squadron in Osogbo. He hails from Ijero, Ekiti State, and carries service number AP/No. 312249. In the clip, he is in full uniform when the assault begins. His family’s cries are audible as neighbours rush to intervene .
A source at Zone XI Command Headquarters, Osogbo, confirmed the internal probe against Michael. He was detained pending a formal police tribunal. Authorities say they take such abuse “very seriously,” especially when it undermines public trust .
According to the police insider, the fight began when the wife asked for part of the children’s third-term exam fees. The school had sent the children home for non-payment. Her request, the source said, sparked the brutal attack .
Domestic violence is widespread in Nigeria. In 2018, 13.2 percent of ever-partnered women aged 15–49 reported physical or sexual violence by a current or former partner in the previous year . Activists warn that many cases go unreported.
In 2025 alone, nearly two dozen women died from gender-based violence in Nigeria. Seventeen femicides occurred in January — a 240 percent rise from January 2024. By mid-February, five more homicides were reported .
Experts say home can be the most dangerous place for Nigerian women. Ololade Ajayi of DOHS Cares Foundation called on the government to declare a state of emergency on gender-based violence. She noted that weak laws and spotty enforcement embolden abusers .
Inspector Michael has faced past allegations of abusing his wife. Neighbours say they often heard shouting and saw bruises. Yet no formal complaint was made until the video surfaced, they added .
The Nigeria Police Force has rules against off-duty misconduct. The Police Act mandates disciplinary action for officers who break the law or bring disrepute to the service. If found guilty, Michael could face dismissal, fines, or imprisonment .
Civil-society groups demand swift justice. They say lenient treatment of errant officers sends a message that power shields abuse. Lawyers point to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 as the legal tool to prosecute domestic violence nationwide.
Under that act, anyone who assaults a spouse may face up to three years in prison or a fine. But implementation varies by state. Ekiti has yet to adopt the law, leaving wives there with fewer legal protections.
In neighbouring Lagos State, courts have applied the law to convict offenders. In April 2025, a man was jailed for two years for beating his wife over dowry disputes — the first high-profile conviction under the act.
Victim-support groups fervently urge Nigeria Police Force officers handling domestic-violence calls be trained thoroughly on sensitive procedures meanwhile many survivors fear reporting brutality. Survivors distrust police vehemently or worry greatly about social stigma associated with beaten-down women generally plaguing societal psyche in various communities nationwide.
Globally one in three women faces intimate partner violence according to World Health Organization estimates. Roughly one in three women aged 15-49 in West and Central Africa report having experienced physical or sexual violence.
Local NGOs say the “shadow pandemic” of domestic violence worsened during COVID-19. Economic stress and lockdowns trapped many women with abusive partners. A 2020 rapid assessment showed a 22 percent rise in household conflict during the pandemic .
WATCH: Disturbing Moment When Nigerian Police Inspector Brutally Assaults Wife For Demanding Children’s School Fees pic.twitter.com/ccyIzaXtnK
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) July 9, 2025
Video evidence like this case can spur action. When digital footage clearly shows abuse, authorities find it harder to ignore. Social-media uproar pressured the force to detain Michael within hours of the clip’s release.
Still, experts warn that detention alone is not enough. They call for complete medical and psychological support for the victim and children. They want the force to publicize the tribunal outcome to build trust.
Some officers have faced online backlash. A hashtag, #JusticeForMichael’sWife, trended across X and Facebook in Nigeria. Celebrities and rights activists joined the call for transparency and tough punishment.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force contends simultaneously with orchestrated demonstrations by officers demanding improved remuneration and pension schemes rather quietly. Michael's detention timing starkly underscores a precarious balancing act between internal overhaul and broader societal trust.
Omoyele Sowore, a pro-democracy activist, had called for solidarity marches with retired police officers. Authorities issued a wireless message on July 8, 2025, ordering AIG Zone 5 to block the planned rally .
That directive went to the Commissioners in Asaba and Benin, copied to the IGP in Abuja. It underscored the force’s concern over any event that could strain its image amid rising domestic-violence cases.
To curb such abuses, experts propose three steps: enforce existing laws, train officers on gender sensitivity, and expand support for victims. They stress that beating a spouse is not a private matter but a criminal offence.
For Inspector Michael’s case, the next step is a police inquiry. The tribunal will review video evidence, interview witnesses, and hear testimony from his wife. Observers hope the outcome will set a strong precedent.
If convicted, Michael may lose his rank, pension rights, and freedom. His children, now traumatized by the attack, may receive state-funded counselling. Advocates say the force should cover these costs.
This incident shines a harsh light on domestic violence in Nigeria’s security services. It shows that no uniform should grant immunity from the law. Civil-society actors and reform-minded officers must push for lasting change.