Controversy Grows Over Alleged Indecent Dressing Arrest as Delta Police Deny Harassment Claims [VIDEO]

 

A recent video circulating across social media platforms has ignited public outrage and raised serious questions regarding law enforcement conduct in Delta State. The footage shows a police officer pushing a woman dressed in a black top and white shorts into a police van, sparking allegations that she was being arrested for indecent dressing. The incident comes just days after reports surfaced about the Delta State Police Command's proposed clampdown on what it termed "indecent dressing" among residents.

The viral video begins with a chaotic scene: a visibly distressed woman is being manhandled by a uniformed officer. The woman resists as she is shoved toward the van, while her friend, also wearing a shirt and shorts, tries to intervene. Bystanders can be heard expressing concern, with some questioning the basis for the officer's aggression.

Amid the social media uproar, many Nigerians speculated that the woman was targeted because of her attire, especially in light of the Command’s stated plans to arrest individuals dressed in ways deemed inappropriate. Some online users voiced fears that this incident signaled the beginning of moral policing, one that might infringe on citizens’ rights and promote harassment under vague definitions of decency.

In response to the controversy, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Bright Edafe, addressed the situation via his official handle on X (formerly Twitter). He rejected claims that the woman was arrested for wearing indecent clothing. According to Edafe, there is no visual or factual evidence in the video to support such an allegation.

“There is no reason to believe that this is as a result of indecent dressing,” Edafe wrote. “Let’s ask ourselves, why is the other lady not being harassed? Any difference in their dressing?”

His statement attempted to refocus the public discourse by encouraging viewers to pay closer attention to the details of the video. He pointed out that if indecent dressing were truly the motive behind the arrest, then the second woman, who appeared similarly dressed, would likely have been subjected to the same treatment. This, he argued, indicates that other factors may have been involved in the officer's decision to detain the woman.

Despite this clarification, critics remain unconvinced. Human rights advocates, civil society groups, and concerned citizens continue to question the legitimacy of the arrest. They have demanded a full explanation from the Delta State Police Command, including a transparent account of the officer’s conduct and the exact reason for the woman’s detention.

Legal experts have also chimed in, warning that the policing of clothing based on subjective standards could lead to the abuse of power. Some argue that there is no clear legal framework in Nigeria that defines "indecent dressing" or grants officers the authority to arrest individuals solely on the basis of their attire.

In the wake of the incident, many Nigerians have taken to social media to share their own encounters with police harassment, particularly those that involved vague accusations such as "wandering" or "indecency." The common thread in these testimonies is a concern about the erosion of personal freedoms under the guise of maintaining public morality.

Women’s rights organizations have been especially vocal, condemning what they see as an attempt to police female bodies under a double standard. They insist that enforcement actions based on clothing not only violate fundamental human rights but also perpetuate a culture of misogyny and control.

As the debate rages on, demands have intensified for the Delta State Police Command to release an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the viral video. Many are calling for the suspension of the officer involved, pending a thorough investigation.

The Nigerian Police Force, already grappling with widespread public distrust, faces increasing pressure to implement reforms that uphold professionalism and accountability. Incidents like this continue to deepen the chasm between the police and the citizens they are meant to serve.

Whether the woman was arrested for indecent dressing or for another, undisclosed reason, remains unclear. What is evident, however, is the urgent need for law enforcement transparency and a clear policy that respects human dignity, regardless of attire.

A good morning to remind deltans and it's police force that indecent dressing is not part of our problems in the state. Kidnappers are out there. Drug pandemic is still ongoing. Please focus on the right thing and let people be. This is not Afghanistan

cc: Sapele times pic.twitter.com/R9kP02Ml2c

— baba nla (FEJIRO) (@WarriWeirdo) July 8, 2025