A Metropolitan Police officer is under investigation after a video surfaced showing him advising Nigerian women not to involve the police in domestic disputes with their husbands, but rather to “manage it” themselves. The incident, which occurred in 2018 at the Divine Restoration International Church in Camberwell, UK, has sparked widespread outrage.
In the video, the officer, addressing a predominantly female audience, spoke in both Yoruba and English. While discussing issues like knife crime and parental influence, he controversially suggested that Nigerian women should avoid calling the police over domestic issues and instead handle them privately.
The video has been forwarded to the Metropolitan Police’s standards unit, prompting criticism from advocacy groups. Afruca, a children’s safeguarding charity focused on African communities, has formally complained, arguing that the officer’s remarks could discourage victims of domestic violence from seeking help.
Debbie Ariyo, Afruca’s Chief Executive, condemned the officer’s comments as minimizing the severity of domestic violence. She emphasized that domestic abuse encompasses more than physical harm and criticized the officer’s apparent disregard for the UK’s Domestic Violence Act of 2021, which prioritizes victim safety.
Ariyo also highlighted the broader issue of underreporting violence against Black women, noting that 43% of femicide victims in 2022 were Black despite their smaller population proportion. She expressed frustration at the lack of attention given to violence against women from African and Caribbean communities.
In response, Detective Chief Superintendent Seb Adjei-Addoh stated that the officer’s comments do not reflect the Metropolitan Police’s stance on domestic violence. He emphasized that the Met is committed to supporting victims and has established dedicated teams to address domestic abuse.
The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on ensuring that such harmful messages do not undermine efforts to combat domestic violence and support diverse communities.
