The Nigeria Police Force has officially responded to alarming claims circulating on social media that its officers have begun arresting individuals for being in possession of condoms.
Viral Video Sparks Public Outrage
The controversy erupted following a video posted on the social media platform X, in which an unidentified woman made serious allegations against police officers in Asaba, Delta State. The narrator claimed that a woman was arrested in a restaurant in Asaba simply for having a condom in her bag.
The woman in the video provided a harrowing account, stating the arrested individual was allegedly beaten by the police officer and held for three days without access to food or water. She framed the incident not as an isolated event, but as part of a broader, returning pattern of police extortion. "First it was your iPhone, then your laptop but in 2026, it is condoms you can be arrested for," she said in the clip, which quickly gained traction online.
Police Spokesperson Calls for Clarification
Reacting to the widespread concern, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, addressed the claims. In a statement, Hundeyin described the report as appearing to be "a distorted third party narration" and urged caution before accepting the story at face value.
He explicitly called for the alleged victim to come forward to provide a firsthand account of the circumstances. "Can the 'victim' confirm to us the circumstances surrounding the incident?" Hundeyin questioned. He further offered a critical perspective, noting that "A person was in possession of an item does not automatically mean he was arrested because of the item."
Hundeyin assured the public that the police would take the matter seriously if verified, writing, "Let’s hear from the woman herself. We will take it up diligently if this is true."
Public Reaction and Broader Concerns
The viral claim has resonated with many Nigerians who shared their own experiences of what they perceive as arbitrary arrests for minor or innocuous items. In reactions to the news, several individuals recounted personal stories of being detained by police for having common items like a lighter in their car or pocket, often linking such incidents to demands for bribes.
This public sentiment highlights a deep-seated mistrust and fuels ongoing debates about police conduct, accountability, and the alleged normalization of extortion tactics on Nigerian roads and in communities. The incident, alleged to have occurred in early December 2026, has put the spotlight back on the Nigeria Police Force and its relationship with the citizens it serves.
