Benin – Repression of traffic code violations: police officers to appear before the prosecutor next Monday

Police officers accused of brutality will appear before the prosecutor of the republic near the Natitingou court on Monday, April 15.

The crackdown on road traffic violations launched on March 1, 2024, is already seeing its share of violence. In Natitingou, a police brutality incident has sparked outrage among the population since Friday, April 12.

In a viral video on social media, an individual is seen on the ground surrounded by five police officers. One of the officers repeatedly kicks him in the ribs on the instructions of another officer who orders, “kick him in the ribs.”

According to the events taking place in front of a crowd of onlookers shocked by the violence of the police, the victim was reportedly on his motorcycle in front of his home when the police approached him to notify him that he was in violation.

He is accused of not wearing a helmet. Faced with his resistance to relinquish his motorcycle, the police officers decided to use violence to make him comply.

According to some sources, the police officers responsible for this violence and some civilians are expected to appear before the prosecutor of the republic near the Natitingou court next Monday.

While awaiting the prosecutor’s hearing, the outrage of the population is intensifying on social media.

The video is nine minutes long. In the footage, at least five men in uniform, police officers, can be seen next to a pick-up truck, some standing and others restraining a civilian on the ground.