Take It Back Movement has successfully intervened in the case of a young boy who was arrested by the Nigerian Police Force at area “E” Festac, without evidence of wrongdoing.
According to Taofeeq Adekunle, the coordinator of the Movement in Lagos state, the police officer demanded a ₦50,000 bribe for the youth’s release, citing his presence in an area deemed suspicious.
Upon recognizing the dubious nature of the arrest, the Movement’s representative emphasized the youth’s constitutional right to move freely across the country and promptly reached out to ACP NWACHUKWU EBURUAJA, the area commander, to rectify the situation.
The successful intervention resulted in the young boy’s release, while simultaneously drawing attention to the pressing concerns surrounding Nigeria’s policing practices.
Providing a detailed account of the incident, Taofeeq, the coordinator of the movement, Lagos branch, documented the events that unfolded, shedding light on the challenges faced and the steps taken to ensure the youth’s release.
He wrote, “A very young boy was arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force, area ‘E’ Festac. The officer who arrested him found nothing incriminating on him and yet requested for the sum of #50,000 before he could be released.
“I requested he give the phone to the officer so I could talk to him. I asked why he was holding the boy to ransom but his response shocked me. He said he was being accosted at a black spot (a black spot during the day in a scotching sun) that someone was killed in the area last week. I asked if he was the one that carried out the killing and besides he does not live in that area but came to visit a friend. The officer said why will he come to Festac when he does not live in Festac.
“I got mad and told him that he has every right to move freely anywhere in the country without fear of being intimidated, you don’t expect me to move where I live without visiting other locations.
“I think I was being authoritative and he got infuriated telling me he will be taking the boy to the task force office tomorrow (because he refuses to pay 50k). I got mad and hung up on him then put a call to the area ‘E’ area commander ACP NWACHUKWU EBURUAJA.
“After introducing myself, he asked if I am the one called ‘Scotty Aluta’? I told him yes then narrated what happened. He promised to see to it, 3 minutes later, the boy called me that he has been released. In this country called Nigeria, just know your right. Imagine the boy does not have my contact and does not have 50k to pay as ransom, he will be transferred to task force office, charged to court and may be remanded in the prison for moving freely in his country.
“I’m always afraid of the Nigeria police. Most people in prison today are victim of circumstance, police will tell you they have nothing to loose if they send you to prison, they don’t feel remorse for their actions and yet they have family they cared for. If you don’t have money to sort them for your freedom, they charge you to court and the court will send you to prison for being a Nigerian.
“We will do our own part to stand for the oppressed and I believe history will vindicate the just.”
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