Corps member alleges police brutality in Lagos

2026-03-02 - 17:37

By Efe Onodjae A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr. Charles Mbaogu, has alleged that operatives of the Lagos Police threw away his NYSC cap and tore his identity card after he refused to admit to being an internet fraudster, popularly known as a “Yahoo boy.” Mbaogu, who narrated his experience on X, formerly known as Twitter, through his handle @devcharlezen, said the incident occurred on Saturday, February 28, at about 10am., while he and his girlfriend were travelling from Ikeja to Epe. According to him, they were stopped by officers attached to the Ladegboye Police Station along Ijede Road, Ikorodu. He said the officers demanded his vehicle documents and driver’s licence, which he provided alongside other required items, including his first aid box. After confirming that his documents were complete, he alleged that the officers began asking personal questions about his tribe, state of origin and what he was doing in Lagos. He told them he was a serving corps member and presented his NYSC identity card. The corps member claimed the officers doubted the authenticity of the card and instructed him to log into the NYSC portal to verify his status. While attempting to do so, he alleged that another officer grabbed his shirt and forcefully seized his phone. He further alleged that the officers searched through his private chats and files and, upon seeing a conversation with a colleague who is a programmer, labelled him a fraudster. He said despite repeatedly denying the allegation, he was ordered into a Police vehicle and driven around for nearly three hours. Mbaogu alleged that during the drive, the officers stopped at different locations and pressured him to admit involvement in fraud, promising to “let him go” if he cooperated. He also claimed that one of the officers demanded $1,000 from his cryptocurrency account. According to him, his girlfriend was driven separately in his car by another officer, while her phone was allegedly confiscated. He claimed that his NYSC cap was thrown away and his identity card torn during the encounter. He said the officers threatened to transfer him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but allegedly declined after he insisted he was willing to appear before the anti-graft agency if he had committed any offence. The corps member further alleged that upon arrival at the station after several hours, the officers contacted his colleague and the Chief Executive Officer of an application he is developing, accusing him of hacking his colleague’s ATM card. The colleague reportedly clarified that he had voluntarily shared his card details with him for debugging purposes. He claimed he was later asked to write a statement indicating that the matter had been “settled,” which he refused. He also alleged that his vehicle sustained scratches and minor damage during the incident, while his girlfriend reportedly sustained bruises after jumping out of the moving vehicle out of fear. Police reaction Reacting to the allegation on X, the Force Spokesman , ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the matter was being looked into. He wrote: “Sorry you had to experience this. The PPRO Lagos @AbimbolaShotayo is on top of the matter and would give us updates. We can assure you that justice would be served. And thank you for giving all the needed details to commence investigations.” The Lagos State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the outcome of its investigation. However, on the comment section the Lagos State Command Spokesperson, SP Adebisi Abimbola reacted by tagging the Lagos Complaint Response Unit for attention