Young Man Regains Freedom in Lagos After Police Allegedly Framed Him as Cultist for Refusing ₦1 Million Bribe
A young Nigerian, Adejunwo Anthony Ayomide, has been released after allegedly being falsely accused of cultism by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos.
According to the Take It Back Movement (TIB), Ayomide’s ordeal began when he refused to pay ₦1 million allegedly demanded by officers for his release. Lagos State TIB Coordinator, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek popularly known as Scotty Aluta announced the release on Facebook, stating that Ayomide did not pay “a dime” due to the group’s intervention.
The incident reportedly started with a domestic dispute between Ayomide and a female neighbour in Shomolu. The disagreement escalated after the neighbour accused him of damaging her ceiling due to water leakage.
Although the matter was later resolved and the neighbour agreed to withdraw her complaint, officers at Pedro Police Station allegedly changed the narrative, branding Ayomide a suspected cultist.
Family sources said police first attempted to arrest him late at night on August 2, but he refused, insisting he would report with a lawyer during the day.
On August 3, officers allegedly forced entry into his home, arrested his brother and roommate, and detained Ayomide when he reported himself.
Relatives claimed police then demanded ₦1 million for his release, and when the family refused, he was transferred to the Gbagada Police Station’s Crack Division, notorious for prolonged detentions.
Taofeek, in his statement, vowed that TIB would not “sit back and watch the Nigeria Police Force trample on the rights of common citizens,” warning that “silence in the face of injustice is complicity with the oppressor.”
However, CSP Fagade Mutiu Adewale, Commander of the Gbagada Crack Division’s Tactical Team, denied the bribery allegation, insisting Ayomide was arrested based on “credible information linking him to cult-related activities.”
