The Nigeria Police Force has formally responded to viral allegations made by popular social media influencer, Abike Raheem, widely known as "Papaya Ex," who claimed she was physically assaulted by officers during a late-night encounter in Lagos.
In an emotional TikTok live session conducted in the early hours of Saturday, the influencer appeared with visible bruising on her face, alleging that she and her driver were accosted by a patrol team in the Ajah area. She further alleged that an officer struck her with a firearm, touched her inappropriately, and seized her mobile device.
The Official Account
Countering these claims, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, issued a statement detailing the incident from the perspective of the patrolling officers. According to Hundeyin, the encounter began at approximately 2:00 AM when officers stopped a vehicle for a routine search.
The police spokesperson alleged that the influencer "bluntly refused" to cooperate with the search, reportedly stating, "You cannot search my car. Don’t you know Papaya? Even your bosses know me."
Escalation and Interception
The police account further states that after an initial standoff, an officer entered the vehicle to proceed to the station. However, it is alleged that the influencer instructed her driver to speed off in an attempt to evade the following patrol van.
"At that rate, the patrol van was going to lose them. The police had to radio the patrol team far ahead to intercept them," Hundeyin stated. While the influencer’s video captured the aftermath of the confrontation, the police maintain that the physical struggle occurred as a direct result of her resisting a lawful search and attempting to flee.
Legal and Public Sentiment
The incident has ignited a heated debate on social media regarding the limits of police authority and the rights of citizens during night patrols. While many followers of the influencer expressed outrage over the alleged assault, others have emphasized the legal obligation to comply with security personnel during routine checks.
The Lagos State Police Command has indicated that an internal review will be conducted to determine if there was any professional misconduct or excessive use of force by the officers involved.
Reader Question:
In light of these conflicting accounts, what measures—such as body cameras or mandatory public witnesses—should be implemented to ensure transparency during police-citizen interactions?
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