Abroad-Returnee Slams Nigeria Police Over Brother's Alleged Phone Harassment
A Nigerian woman who recently returned from abroad has taken to social media to express her outrage after her younger brother was allegedly harassed by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos. The incident, which she described as deeply unprofessional and frightening, has sparked concerns about police conduct and the safety of citizens, particularly those visiting from the diaspora.
Alleged Harassment Over a New Phone
The woman stated that she gifted her brother a brand-new phone, which he was carrying in its original box. After boarding a public bus to return home, the bus was stopped by police officers under the underpass bridge near the 7 and 8 bus stop in Ajao, Lagos. According to her account, the officers singled out her brother and two other boys from the bus.
The officers allegedly searched him and demanded to know where he got the phone. When he explained that his sister had given it to him, they asked for receipts as proof of purchase. The woman promptly sent the receipts via WhatsApp, but the officers reportedly refused to let him go, insisting they needed to verify the phone's origin more thoroughly.
Escalation and Alleged Bribery Demands
The situation escalated when the officers told her brother to go print out the receipts, a request the woman found unreasonable and indicative of harassment. She questioned why the police would stereotype an innocent boy on a public bus and keep him stranded even after evidence of payment was provided.
"My husband said they want a bribe or we have to beg them," she wrote, highlighting the alleged corrupt intent behind the officers' actions. She expressed shock at what she perceived as a failure in police duty, asking, "Is this how you protect your citizens? Is this how to do your jobs as law enforcers?"
Threatening Behavior and Safety Concerns
Adding to the distress, the woman reported that when she and her husband arrived at the scene, two of the officers cocked their guns upon seeing them. Her husband insisted she stay in the car for safety. She condemned this behavior as a criminal act, writing, "Cocking a gun when approaching unarmed citizens is a criminal act on its own."
She raised alarming questions about whether police are targeting diaspora returnees, stating, "Are your men out on the street to kill people from the diaspora?" This incident has left her fearful about moving around Lagos during visits to Nigeria.
Lack of Professionalism and Officer Identification
The woman identified the officers involved as Daniel I. and Isaac J., but noted that they refused to disclose their office or provide further professional details. She criticized this lack of transparency, asking, "How is that professional?" and emphasizing that such actions undermine public trust in law enforcement.
In her concluding remarks, she reiterated her dismay, stating, "This is not good at all! Not at all!" The story, originally shared by Linda Ikeji on February 17, 2026, has drawn attention to ongoing issues of police misconduct and the need for accountability in Nigeria.
