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.

Take It Back Movement Condemns Revocation of Sowore’s Bail, Alleges Crackdown on Opposition

The Take It Back Movement has condemned the reported revocation of the bail granted to human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, describing the development as part of an escalating crackdown on opposition voices in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, the movement argued that the action goes beyond a legal matter and reflects what it described as a broader attempt to intimidate critics, activists, journalists, and opposition figures.

According to the group, the treatment of Sowore fits into a pattern of alleged political persecution aimed at weakening democratic resistance and discouraging alternative political movements.

The movement further alleged that the growing popularity of Sowore and the AAC among Nigerians dissatisfied with the country’s economic and security challenges may be contributing to the pressure on opposition voices.

TIB maintained that no amount of intimidation, arrest threats, or legal actions would stop Nigerians from demanding political change and accountability.

It called on civil society organizations, students, workers, youth groups, and other democratic stakeholders to resist what it described as attempts to shrink the country’s democratic space.

The group also insisted that efforts to suppress opposition politics would only strengthen the determination of those seeking reforms, adding that Nigerians remain committed to the struggle for justice, accountability, and democratic governance.