Police Allegedly Brutalise, Detain Lagos Resident For Questioning Car Seizure

A Lagos resident, Dauda Jimoh, has accused officers of the Nigerian Police Force of brutality and unwarranted detention after questioning the “illegal detention” of his friend’s car. The incident purportedly transpired on Friday, December 15th, at Saint Paul Street in Lagos State.

According to Jimoh’s account shared with Sahara Reporters, officers from the Makinde Police Station stopped his friend’s car without providing any apparent reason and confiscated the car keys. Jimoh and others intervened to inquire about the situation.

However, Jimoh claimed that rather than address their concerns, the officers alleged his approach was disrespectful and proceeded to physically assault him. He detailed that the situation quickly escalated, leading to his detention for about an hour.

“They dragged me into the cell and locked me up,” Jimoh stated, narrating the events that unfolded. He highlighted that what began as a routine stop escalated into an unwarranted detention and physical altercation with the police.

Jimoh’s friend, also targeted by the police, attempted to cooperate by presenting his vehicle documents for inspection. However, when he questioned the officers about the confiscated keys, it reportedly sparked the aggressive response.

Jimoh pointed out Akeem Olanrewaju, an officer at the Makinde station, as a central figure in the alleged violence. He accused Olanrewaju of instigating the assault and participating in beating him alongside other uniformed officers.

“Before I knew it, Ak that is one Akeem Olanrewaju came outside of the station and we tried to approach him that Mr Akeem, these your guys were trying to harass us. And he just said No, that he doesn’t know us.

“He now gave the other guy that is not in uniform a sign that he should deal with us. Before I knew it, the guy that was not in uniform punched me and Akeem also came and started using a gun to beat all my body. Two guns, the uniformed men, were using guns to hit me on my leg and back. They dragged me inside the station. Akeem Olarewaju also came to punch my mouth and pushed me inside the cell,” Jimoh elaborated.

Upon his release, Jimoh paid N3,000 for bail and promptly lodged a formal complaint with the Lagos State Command Complaint Response Unit (CRU).

The CRU acknowledged Jimoh’s complaint, requesting his presence at their headquarters in Ikeja for a detailed statement and identification of the officers involved in the incident.