LAGOS POLICE, YOUNG MAN CLASH OVER PHONE SEARCH SPARKS ONLINE OUTRAGE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A confrontation between a young man and some police officers in Lagos has ignited widespread criticism after a video of the altercation went viral on social media platform X.

The incident reportedly began when the officers allegedly stopped the man’s vehicle and demanded to search his phone a request he refused, leading to a heated scuffle.

In the footage shared by X user Somto Okonkwo, the young man is seen perched on top of his vehicle, resisting as officers believed to be attached to a tactical unit attempt to pull him down. Onlookers could be heard shouting, “Don’t come down!” while another voice yelled, “Driver don japa,” suggesting the driver had fled the scene.

A second clip showed the man on the ground still resisting as officers struggled to restrain him. The video has since triggered public outrage, with many users accusing the police of harassment and unprofessional conduct.

One user, @AyoBello, tagged the Lagos Police spokesperson, writing: “Didn’t they disband this CP Tactical Squad? Look at your officers, harassing a citizen they swore to protect. Why are they in mufti and driving cars without plates?”

Responding to the viral clip, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi.

According to Adebisi, the officers involved have been identified, and preliminary investigations revealed that the young man and two others were allegedly found in possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and were seen smoking them in public.

She said the officers intervened out of “legitimate concern for public safety,” adding that the suspects’ conduct was considered likely to cause a breach of public peace.

“The officers attempted to apprehend the suspects using minimal and proportionate force in line with operational standards,” Adebisi stated, noting that the individuals eventually fled the scene.

The police assured the public that a review of the officers’ conduct is ongoing to ensure accountability and adherence to professional ethics.