Ashocking scene played out at a First City Monument Bank (FCMB) branch in Owerri, Imo State after a man who allegedly sneaked into the bank’s toilet during work hours and hid in the ceiling overnight to hack into its computer systems was caught and brutalised by security personnel.
According to a video on social media, the unidentified man had entered the bank during the day posing as a regular customer.
He reportedly locked himself inside the restroom, climbed into the ceiling void, and remained there unnoticed after the bank closed for the day.
An X user, Bishop, narrated the bizarre incident: “Yesterday, a customer entered FCMB branch at Secretariat. He went to the toilet, climbed into the ceiling, and waited until staff left. At night, he descended and attempted to hack the systems before locking himself in. This morning, colleagues discovered the door locked from the inside, broke in, and found someone in the ceiling. Upon turning on the system, it displayed a message stating, ‘Restarting. Click OK to accept.’”
Security officials were alerted and stormed the location. The man was dragged out and physically assaulted by the operatives, a moment captured on video that has since gone viral and triggered a wave of reactions.
While many users on social media raised questions about the bank’s security protocols, others condemned the violent treatment meted out to the suspect by police and security guards.
A user, Rarebred wrote: “Why are Nigerian police officers unprofessional? Look how they’re dressed! Beating the suspect stomping on his head and chest. He might sustain internal bleeding from that and die even before investigation! Stupid police officers!”
Another user, Tolu wrote: “He was caught on camera, and still got brutalised by the police. Nigerian banks and police? Same demons, different dress codes. One wears suits, the other guns. Both powered by hypocrisy and zero accountability. Let’s ask ourselves why the brutality started with the bank staff.”
Reacting to the viral video, the Nigerian Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the incident as concerning and said the conduct seen in the video was unacceptable.
“Unprofessional conduct. Too bad. Many indecent acts were spotted in the video. We will look into it holistically. Thanks. @PoliceNG_CRU @PoliceNG,” Adejobi posted on X early Wednesday.
The FCMB is yet to issue an official statement on the attempted breach as of press time.
