A Lagos-based tech professional, Caleb Okechukwu, has publicly accused officers from the Orile Police Division of abducting and assaulting him and his colleague, Christopher Onyejekwe, in what he described as a “commando-style” operation.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, November 2, while the pair were returning home from their business premises. According to Okechukwu’s account, shared via Facebook, a Sienna van abruptly intercepted them, and armed policemen emerged, forcibly bundling them into the vehicle without explanation.
“They treated us like criminals,” Okechukwu wrote, alleging that the officers assaulted him during the ride and attempted to seize his phone. The tech worker claimed they were held without justification and subjected to intimidation.
This incident has reignited concerns within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, which has long decried police profiling and harassment of young professionals. The #StopRobbingUs campaign, launched in 2019 by prominent tech leaders including Bosun Tijani and Jason Njoku, was created to combat unlawful arrests and extortion targeting tech workers.
Despite previous efforts and public outcry, cases like Okechukwu’s suggest that police misconduct remains a persistent issue. Advocacy groups are calling for renewed government intervention and accountability measures to protect citizens from abuse.
The Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue an official response regarding the allegations.
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