Lagos TIB Coordinator Raises Alarm Over Alleged Illegal Police Raids, Extortion

The Lagos State Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, has raised concerns over what he described as the increasing rate of illegal police raids, unlawful detention and extortion in his neighbourhood.

Taofeek made the allegation while recounting an incident involving some police officers who reportedly entered his street about three days ago and allegedly harassed residents.

According to him, a friend called to inform him about the situation, prompting him to switch to a video call with the friend so he could observe what was happening.

He said that while the call was ongoing, one of the police officers approached his friend and allegedly harassed him after assuming that he was recording the officers.

Taofeek questioned why police officers carrying out legitimate duties in a public place would object to being recorded.

He argued that citizens should not be treated as criminals simply for documenting the activities of law enforcement officers, particularly when officers are carrying out their duties in public.

“There is nothing inherently unlawful about recording a police officer while they are carrying out their duties in a public place,” he said.

He further expressed concern that residents could be subjected to raids, detention and extortion without committing any offence.

Taofeek warned that he could also become a victim of what he described as illegal police operations in his neighbourhood, saying he would insist on his rights if such a situation occurred.

“For the record, I may be illegally raided one of these days in my own neighbourhood, and it may get messy because I will stand my ground and insist on my rights,” he said.

He stressed that he had never been involved in any illegal activity and would not accept a situation where innocent residents were criminalised simply because they were sitting in front of their homes.

Taofeek called on Nigerians to speak out against alleged police abuse, unlawful detention and extortion, stressing that anyone could become a victim.

“You may be the victim today; I may be the victim tomorrow. That is why we must all speak up against police abuse, illegal detention and extortion,” he said.

The allegations come amid continued public discussions around police accountability, citizens’ rights and the conduct of law enforcement officers during raids and arrests.

The police authorities have not, however, publicly responded to Taofeek’s specific allegations at the time of this report.

Police Officer Reminds Nigerians: Bail Is Free at Every Police Station

A senior Nigerian police officer, CSP Okokon Aniete Iniedu, has reminded Nigerians that bail is free and that no police station is legally permitted to demand payment before granting bail.

Iniedu made the clarification during an interview with media personality Nedu, where he urged members of the public to understand their rights when dealing with the police.

According to the officer, many Nigerians sign bail documents without reading them carefully, despite the documents stating that no payment was made for the bail process.

“Many people do not read the form they sign because it’s clearly stated there that I didn’t pay one single naira for this bail,” Iniedu said.

He explained that people are often in a hurry to leave the police station and therefore sign the documents without checking their contents.

The police officer stressed that paying money for bail is not permitted at any police station in Nigeria.

“The law doesn’t allow anybody to pay for bail in any police station in Nigeria,” he said.

Iniedu also advised Nigerians who are asked to pay money before securing the release of a suspect on bail to report the matter immediately.

“If you enter any police station to bail somebody and they ask for money, just tell them that you want to call the Inspector-General of Police (IGP),” he said.

He provided three channels through which members of the public can report complaints involving officers allegedly demanding payment for bail.

The contact details are:

📞 08057000001
📞 08057000002
📱 08057000003 — WhatsApp/Text

Iniedu encouraged Nigerians to speak up and report any police officer who demands money for bail, stressing that members of the public should not be required to pay for the bail process.

The clarification comes amid long-standing complaints from Nigerians about alleged demands for money at police stations during bail and other processes.

Osun Police Summon Senator Fadahunsi Over ‘Kill Accord’ Comment

The Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, over his viral comments allegedly calling for members of the Accord Party to be killed ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The development comes just three days before the August 15, 2026, governorship poll, amid growing concerns over political tension and possible violence in the state. 

The police invitation followed widespread reactions to a video circulating on social media in which Fadahunsi, speaking in Yoruba, was alleged to have instructed supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to kill Accord members if they were seen in parts of Osun during the election period.

The incident reportedly occurred in Ilesa on Tuesday during an event at the palace of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland. According to reports, the senator was speaking during a gathering organised following the alleged killing of three APC members in Ilesa. 

In the video, Fadahunsi was quoted as saying that if Accord members were seen in Ilesa before the election, they would be killed.

The comments have generated strong condemnation, with concerns that such rhetoric could heighten tensions between supporters of rival political parties and potentially undermine the peaceful conduct of the election.

The Police Command has now moved to question the senator over the circumstances surrounding the statement.

A letter dated August 11, 2026, reportedly invited Fadahunsi to appear before the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, to clarify the circumstances surrounding the remarks. 

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Osun election, Samuel Etaifo Erale, reportedly signed the invitation.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed that Fadahunsi had been summoned by the Commissioner of Police.

“I can confirm that he (Fadahunsi) has been summoned by the CP. We will make a statement available regarding it,” Ojelabi was quoted as saying. 

The controversy has added to an already tense political atmosphere in Osun, where parties have been campaigning aggressively ahead of Saturday’s election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has also reacted to the viral video, demanding action against the senator.

Adeleke described the remarks as more than ordinary political rhetoric, arguing that comments calling for violence could have serious security implications.

The governor said he had raised the matter with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and called for Fadahunsi to be investigated and arrested. According to Adeleke, the IGP confirmed that authorities had seen the viral video and assured him that action would be taken. 

“This is now beyond politics. This is now a national security threat,” Adeleke reportedly said.

The latest development is particularly significant because the Osun election has already been characterised by accusations and counter-accusations between the major political camps.

The APC is backing its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, while the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration is seeking another term.

The Accord Party is also participating in the election, making the alleged threat against its members a matter of concern for the party and election observers.

Another APC-linked figure, Francis Eniade, has also reportedly come under criticism after a separate video circulated in which he allegedly told non-APC members not to come out to vote in Odo-Otin Local Government Area on election day. 

The two incidents have intensified calls for political actors to moderate their language and allow voters to participate freely.

The police invitation also comes at a time when security arrangements for the Osun election have been receiving increased attention, with authorities under pressure to prevent political violence before, during and after the poll.

For many observers, the concern goes beyond the individuals involved. Statements encouraging violence during an election can create fear among voters, discourage participation and increase the possibility of clashes between supporters of competing parties.

The Osun State governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) expected to oversee the poll.

As political parties make their final push for votes, attention will now turn to how the police handle the investigation into Fadahunsi’s alleged remarks and whether further action will follow.

The senator’s summons does not, by itself, establish guilt. The police are expected to hear his explanation and determine the appropriate next steps based on the outcome of their investigation.

With only days remaining before voters head to the polls, the latest controversy has once again placed political language and election security at the centre of the Osun campaign.

The expectation among residents, political parties and observers is that all sides will allow voters to exercise their rights without threats, intimidation or violence.

Man Claims He Was Jailed at 13, Freed at 60 After Spending 47 Years in Prison

A Nigerian man has shared a heartbreaking account of how he allegedly spent 47 years in prison after being detained as a 13-year-old over an incident involving a damaged vehicle in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The man, who said he is now 78 years old, claimed he was arrested while hawking sugarcane for his father and was never properly tried before being transferred from one correctional facility to another for decades.

According to his account, he was living in Maiduguri and attended school while helping his father, a sugarcane farmer, sell sugarcane after classes.

He recalled that on the day his ordeal allegedly began, he accidentally knocked off the headlight of a parked car while pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with sugarcane in search of shade from the scorching afternoon sun.

Rather than fleeing, he said he waited at the scene for the vehicle’s owner to return.

“I wanted to run, but my conscience wouldn’t let me. So I stood there waiting,” he recalled.

The man alleged that the owner of the vehicle, who later identified himself as a police officer, beat him before taking him to a police station, where he was locked in a cell.

He claimed he remained in police custody for about a month before being taken to court, where the matter was not heard. According to him, he was subsequently remanded in prison.

He further alleged that he remained in custody for years without trial, serving in prison work units before being transferred between correctional facilities in several states, including Bauchi, Ibadan and Kano.

According to the account, he eventually became known among inmates as “Baba” after spending decades behind bars.

The man claimed his case only came to light when a state governor visited the correctional facility shortly before leaving office and asked him why he was imprisoned.

He alleged that an investigation followed, leading authorities to discover that the police officer who had ordered his detention had become a traditional ruler.

According to the account, the governor later granted him amnesty and assisted him with rehabilitation after his release.

The former inmate said the traditional ruler allegedly offered to compensate him with a house and other support, but he declined, saying no material gift could restore the decades he lost in prison.

“He took my youth. He took my future. He took my life,” he said in the emotional account.

The story has generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing sympathy while calling for an independent verification of the claims and, if substantiated, accountability for any miscarriage of justice.

As of the time of filing this report, Shemariah Media has not independently verified the claims contained in the man’s account, including the identity of the police officer, the governor referenced, or official records relating to the alleged imprisonment.

AAC Raises Alarm Over Security in Osun, Accuses Police of Partisanship Ahead of Governorship Election

The African Action Congress (AAC) in Osun State has accused the Osun State Police Command of abandoning its constitutional responsibilities and acting in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the state’s security situation could threaten the credibility of the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Akinlade Semiu Babatunde, the AAC alleged that Osun was witnessing an increase in political violence, intimidation and insecurity despite the recent visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s successor, IGP Tunji Disu, to the state.

The opposition party claimed that the latest incident occurred at the popular Old Garage area of Osogbo, where it alleged that armed thugs attempted to forcefully take over the motor park, causing panic among traders, commercial drivers and residents.

According to the AAC, the attack was not an isolated case but part of what it described as a growing pattern of political violence ahead of the governorship election.

The party also alleged that incidents of political killings, kidnappings and attacks on opposition members had continued across the state, claiming that while security agencies occasionally announce arrests, those behind the attacks are rarely brought to justice.

AAC further accused the Osun State Police Command of compromising its neutrality, alleging that police officers were seen in a viral video associating with individuals it described as political thugs.

“The Command has abandoned its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property and has degenerated into a partisan outfit,” the statement read.

The party described the alleged conduct as unacceptable and called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately redeploy the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, arguing that the police chief had lost public confidence.

Beyond security concerns, the AAC also alleged that there were plans to create conditions that could lead to the postponement of the governorship election.

According to the party, there is a plot to portray Osun as too volatile for a peaceful election, paving the way for the declaration of an emergency administrative arrangement.

The party insisted that the August 15 governorship election must hold as scheduled and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organizations, labour unions, youth groups and the international community to closely monitor developments in the state.

It also called on residents to remain vigilant and defend democratic processes through peaceful and lawful means.

The governorship election in Osun State is expected to be one of the most closely watched off-cycle elections in the country, with political parties intensifying campaigns across the state.

Don’t Hand Over Your Phone to Police for Search, FCT Commissioner Tells Residents

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been advised not to surrender their mobile phones for roadside searches by police officers, as the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, reaffirmed that such actions violate the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Speaking during a public engagement, the police commissioner said officers are not permitted to stop people on the road and begin searching their phones simply because they suspect them of internet fraud or other offences.

According to him, the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to enforcing the Inspector-General’s directive prohibiting indiscriminate phone searches, particularly during routine stop-and-search operations.

He explained that the directive was issued following repeated complaints about the abuse of power by some police officers and personnel of other security agencies.

“The issue of searching phones has already been addressed,” Sanusi said.

“Because of the abuse and misconduct by some officers—not only in the police but also in other sister security agencies—it has been directed that nobody should search your phone, especially when you are simply arrested or stopped on the road.”

The commissioner stressed that officers have no right to demand access to a person’s mobile phone merely because they suspect the individual of being involved in internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”

“For an officer to stop you on the road and say, ‘Bring your phone, let me search it,’ is against the directive of the Inspector-General of Police,” he stated.

Sanusi encouraged residents of the FCT to politely resist unlawful demands to search their phones and immediately report such incidents to the appropriate police authorities.

“According to the Inspector-General’s directive, don’t open your phone. Resist. Call the attention of people around you and contact our emergency lines. You will see our officers, and we will ask those involved why they acted that way,” he said.

He, however, clarified that his assurance applies to incidents that occur within the Federal Capital Territory, where his command has direct jurisdiction.

The commissioner warned that the FCT Police Command would continue to sanction officers who violate the directive, insisting that the command would not tolerate misconduct.

“We are still against that. We will continue to stand against it, and we will continue to enforce the Inspector-General’s directive,” he said.

In a strongly worded remark, Sanusi suggested that some officers who engage in such illegal practices do so out of criminal intent.

“Some of them are on the job because they are criminally minded,” he added.

His comments come amid growing public concerns over allegations of harassment, extortion and unlawful phone searches by some security operatives during stop-and-search operations across parts of the country.

The Inspector-General of Police has repeatedly warned officers against violating the rights of Nigerians and has maintained that mobile phones should not be searched without lawful authority or due process.

The latest reassurance from the FCT Commissioner of Police is expected to renew public confidence and remind officers operating within the territory that the directive remains in force.

Ogun CP Ojajuni Strengthens Community Policing With Strategic Tour of Ikenne, Isara Area Commands

 

Police Commissioner engages traditional rulers, local government officials, corporate stakeholders and residents to boost intelligence-led policing in Ogun State

ABEOKUTA, Ogun State — The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, has continued his strategic familiarization tour across the state with visits to the Ikenne and Isara Area Commands, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to community policing and stronger collaboration with key stakeholders in crime prevention.

The tour, which formed part of efforts to deepen public confidence in policing and enhance operational effectiveness, featured engagements with traditional rulers, local government officials, corporate leaders, community development associations and police personnel across the Remo axis.

Accompanied by members of the Command Management Team and the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Ogun State, Comrade Abdullahi Lawal, the police commissioner first visited the Ikenne Area Command, where he was received by Area Commander ACP Sadiq Mana.

Also present were the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Asimu Jamiu, President of the Ikenne Development Association, Otunba Olufemi Allen, and other community stakeholders.

During the meeting, CP Ojajuni stressed that effective policing cannot succeed without active community participation. He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies while assuring them of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

Visit to Remo Stars

The police commissioner also paid a courtesy visit to Remo Stars Football Club, where he was received by the club’s president, Hon. Kunle Soname.

Ojajuni praised the club for its contribution to youth development, sports excellence and economic growth, noting that meaningful youth engagement remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing crime.

According to him, creating opportunities for young people helps channel their energy into productive ventures and contributes significantly to peaceful coexistence.

Royal Visits and Inspection of Proposed Area Command Headquarters

As part of the tour, the commissioner visited the palace of the Odemo of Isara, Oba Peter Oluwole Ogunbayo (Otete III), where he commended the monarch for promoting peace and community development.

He appealed for continued support from the traditional institution in strengthening intelligence gathering and community-based policing.

The monarch reaffirmed the commitment of the traditional council to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in maintaining peace and security across Isara and neighbouring communities.

CP Ojajuni later inspected the permanent site of the proposed Isara Area Command Headquarters alongside the Odemo of Isara, the Onipara of Ipara, Oba Taiwo Taiwo, and other stakeholders.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded and encouraged stakeholders to sustain support for the project’s completion, describing the facility as vital to improving policing operations within the area.

Patrol Vehicle Donation

The delegation also witnessed the presentation of a patrol vehicle donated to the Isara Area Command by the Isara Growth and Prosperity Foundation.

The police commissioner described the donation as a strong demonstration of community partnership, noting that the vehicle would improve operational mobility and emergency response while strengthening security across the command.

Commissioning of Temporary Area Command Office

At the Isara Area Command, CP Ojajuni was received by Area Commander ACP Nurudeen Ali Amodu, Chairman of Remo North Local Government, Hon. Sodade Ayodele Olumuyiwa, traditional rulers, community leaders and police personnel.

Addressing officers and stakeholders, the commissioner described security as a shared responsibility requiring continuous collaboration among the police, government, traditional institutions and residents.

He urged members of the public to sustain intelligence sharing while charging officers to remain disciplined, professional, courteous and proactive in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

During the visit, the commissioner officially commissioned the temporary office of the Isara Area Command, describing it as a major step toward expanding police presence and improving service delivery in Remo North and adjoining communities.

He expressed confidence that the new facility would strengthen operational coordination and enhance the command’s response to security challenges.

Final Royal Courtesy Visit

The familiarization tour concluded with a visit to the palace of the Ologere of Ogere, Oba James Obafemi Saliu (Kankanbiina II).

CP Ojajuni commended the monarch for promoting peace and stability within the kingdom while seeking continued support for intelligence-led policing initiatives.

In his response, the traditional ruler praised the leadership of the Ogun State Police Command and pledged the continued cooperation of the people of Ogere in maintaining peace and security.

The commissioner reiterated that the Ogun State Police Command remains committed to strengthening community policing, expanding stakeholder partnerships and deploying intelligence-driven strategies to tackle emerging security challenges across the state.

He also appreciated traditional institutions, local government councils, corporate organisations, community groups and residents for their continued support in promoting peace and public safety throughout Ogun State.

Source: Press release issued by the Ogun State Police Command through the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, on July 3, 2026.