Take It Back Movement, Lagos State Chapter Secures Release of Woman Detained by Police Over Lost SIM Card Case and Allegedly Pressured to Pay ₦1.2m

The Take It Back Movement, Lagos State Chapter, has intervened to secure the release of a young woman identified as Julius Faith Odunayo who was detained by police over a lost SIM card and reportedly pressured to pay ₦1.2 million at Iponri Police Station in Lagos.

According to Comrade Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, the Lagos State Coordinator of the movement, the Chapter received information from Ogun State Take It Back Movement that Faith had been arrested over an allegation that her phone number was used to carry out a fraudulent transaction traced from Kwara State to Lagos.

Faith reportedly told the police that she lost the SIM card in 2022 and was not aware of any fraudulent activity linked to it. Her only mistake, according to Comrade Adeyemi, was that she did not make a formal report when the SIM card got missing, a step many Nigerians often skip due to stress and bureaucracy.

Adeyemi made it known that Faith was detained and that officers demanded ₦1.2 million before she could be granted bail. He described the demand as unlawful and unjust.

“When I contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iponri Division, he claimed he was not aware of the situation,” Adeyemi said. “Shortly after, we were informed that the officers were preparing to transfer the lady to Kwara State because she could not meet the ₦1.2 million demand.”

He further stated that he reached out to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kwara State and provided the officer’s contact. After the intervention, the officer called back, denied that any money was demanded, and Faith was released shortly afterward without paying any money.

Comrade Adeyemi described the incident as another case of intimidation and extortion of innocent citizens. He maintained that no Nigerian should be detained or pressured for money over a lost SIM card.

“This is why we must continue to speak up. Many innocent Nigerians are victims of intimidation and extortion simply because they do not know their rights or do not have someone to intervene,” Adeyemi stated.