The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reacted to the viral video showing two sons of Lagos-based billionaire industrialist and businessman, Chief Razak Okoya-Thomas, displaying wads of N1,000 banknotes and spraying themselves with same, saying it was an abuse of the nation’s currency.
According to a statement released on X on Friday by the Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disciplinary action is underway to address the misconduct.
The video, which has attracted widespread criticism, shows the officer holding wads of naira notes as the Okoya brothers allegedly engaged in acts considered to be an abuse of the national currency.
In the video, Wahab and Raheem Okoya are dressed in white agbada outfits and flaunt stacks of crisp N1000 notes.
As the video continued, it captured the mobile policeman holding bundles of N1000 notes, while the billionaire’s sons danced and tossed the cash into the air.
Police condemned the officer’s involvement, describing it as unethical and contrary to the values of the force.
The Police authorities also said the Police escort seen in the video holding the bundles of the Naira notes for the two rich kids has been identified and detained for disciplinary action.
READ ALSO: FG seeks labour’s cooperation for strike-free 2025
These were disclosed by the NPF on its verified Facebook page on Friday morning. The Police, however, was silent on the consequences of the action of the Okoya boys.
The Force wrote: “The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira, has been identified and detained for disciplinary action.
“The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it’s unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police. Thanks.”
Spraying naira notes is considered an offence according to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria 2007.
Mixed reactions have trailed the viral video on social media as some netizens criticized the rich kids for displaying wealth in the midst of widespread poverty in the land, while others said the Okoya boys were free to live their lives according to their dictates.
Many are demanding that the same treatment be meted out to the Okoya’s sons, who were seen spraying naira notes in the video and are asking if they are above the law.
One user wrote, “As usual the boys are the offspring of the rich and powerful, the police are their tool. They have arrested and condemned the poorly trained/poorly paid policeman while the spoiled/untrained children of the rich are protected.”
Another said, “The people abusing the naira are not punished, it’s the policeman that actually has no power over them at that instant that is getting punished?”
