Abroad Returnee Criticizes Nigerian Police Over Alleged Harassment of Her Brother

An individual has publicly condemned the Nigeria Police Force on social media regarding the alleged mistreatment of her younger brother by officers.

According to her account, she gifted her brother a new mobile phone, after which he boarded a public transport to return home.

However, during the journey, police officers halted the bus and singled out her brother along with two other youths.

She explained that the officers reportedly attempted to extort a bribe from her brother by inquiring about the origin of the phone, despite him presenting the purchase receipt.

The woman shared her experience via a post on X, stating:

"I am writing to the @PoliceNG. My brother came yesterday to collect a phone I bought for him. He left home and took a public bus; while they reached the area near the underpass bridge between the 7 and 8 bus stops at Ajao, Lagos, your officers were there. They stopped the bus, and three boys were taken out, including my brother.

"They searched him and questioned where he got the phone from, which was in its original box. He told them his sister gave it to him, but they demanded the receipt. I sent him the receipt via WhatsApp, yet they still refused to let him leave.

"When I inquired why they were detaining him, they stated they needed to verify where the phone came from due to its expensive nature.

"The receipt contains all the necessary information, and they could easily contact Amazon if they wished to investigate further, but I suspect they were acting unlawfully.

"To exacerbate the situation, they asked him to print out the receipt. Why should this concern them? Where is the justice in racial profiling an innocent person on a public bus? Even after providing proof of purchase, why was he left stranded?

"My husband believes they want a bribe or that we have to plead with them.

"Is this how you protect your citizens? Is this how law enforcement exercises their duties? I am utterly shocked.

"Two of the officers brandished their weapons at us, and my husband insisted that I remain in the vehicle. Are your officers on the streets to target people from overseas? Because displaying weapons when approaching unarmed civilians is a criminal act in itself.

"These officers have been identified as Daniel.I. and Isaac.J. They refused to identify their station. How is that considered professional? Should we feel unsafe commuting around Lagos because police are allegedly preying on innocent citizens?

"This situation is unacceptable! Completely unacceptable!"

The woman's remarks highlight serious concerns regarding police conduct and the treatment of citizens, especially those returning from abroad, raising questions about safety and accountability in law enforcement.