KETU RESIDENTS ACCUSE POLICE OF NIGHT-TIME ARRESTS, EXTORTION OF STUDENTS, OTHERS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Residents of Ketu-Alapere in Lagos State have accused policemen attached to the Ketu Police Division of allegedly carrying out unlawful late-night arrests and extorting money from detained individuals.
According to findings, officers reportedly raided the community on Saturday night, arresting residents indiscriminately during an operation that lasted several hours.
Among those detained were two students of Yaba College of Technology, who said they were returning from a church meeting when they were stopped.
One of the students, Solomon Adelumola, narrated that despite identifying themselves and showing their school identity cards, the officers allegedly ignored them and forced them into a minibus.
“We had just finished a meeting at our church in Alapere around 11pm and were heading to stay with a member nearby when two men approached us. They suddenly pulled us by our trousers. It was only when they dragged us into their vehicle that we realised they were policemen,” Adelumola said.
His colleague, David Owolabi, claimed the officers seized and damaged his phone during the arrest. He added that about 10 other people picked up in similar fashion were brought to the police station.
Both students alleged they were asked to pay at least ₦20,000 each to secure their release. After pleading that they were students and unable to afford the amount, they said the officers agreed to accept ₦10,000 each, which they allegedly transferred via a Point-of-Sale operator.
“We explained we had committed no crime. The officer told us plainly they arrested us for money and we should not act smart. One officer called ‘Agba’ assisted in processing the transfer,” Owolabi said, adding that they were released around 2am.
The students said the arresting policemen did not disclose their identities and addressed one another only by nicknames.
When contacted on Sunday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident had been forwarded to the Complaint Response Unit for investigation.
“I’ve forwarded the complaint to CRU for investigation, but we’ll need them to come forward,” she said.
The incident adds to growing public concern over alleged police misconduct during night patrols in Lagos. In March, the command arrested three officers accused of extorting ₦150,000 from travellers along Ikeja–Berger Road.
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