The Lagos State Police Command has responded to allegations made by social media influencer Abike Raheem, popularly known as Papaya Ex, following a viral video in which she accused a police officer of assault during a late-night encounter in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Adebisi Abimbola, disputed key elements of the influencer’s account and outlined what police described as the official version of events. The matter, authorities said, is now under investigation.
Allegations Raised in Viral Video
The controversy began after Papaya Ex went live on TikTok on Friday, February 20, in an emotional broadcast that quickly gained traction online. She alleged that she was accosted by a police officer in the Ajah area while returning from a movie set.
According to her account, the officer slapped her, struck her in the face with a firearm, assaulted her driver, touched her inappropriately and forcibly seized her mobile phone. During the live session, she displayed what appeared to be injuries, prompting widespread reactions across social media platforms.
Police Account of Events
The police command, however, presented a different narrative.
According to the statement, officers intercepted a white Mercedes Benz SUV conveying five occupants, two females and three males, during what was described as a routine stop and search operation in the Ajah area.
Police said the occupants were unable to provide satisfactory means of identification when questioned. One of them repeatedly claimed to be Papaya X and stated that senior officers knew her but allegedly failed to present valid identification or verifiable details.
Officers then requested that the group proceed to Ajah Police Station for proper identification and documentation. An Assistant Superintendent of Police joined them inside the SUV, while other officers followed in a separate vehicle.
Escalation at Checkpoint
Authorities said the situation escalated when the driver allegedly sped off shortly after leaving the initial checkpoint, in what police described as an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement.
The vehicle was later intercepted through what the command called swift intervention by personnel from the Langbasa Police Division at another checkpoint around Addo Roundabout.
Police clarified that the viral video currently circulating online was recorded after the vehicle had been stopped at the second checkpoint.
Context and Broader Implications
The incident comes at a time when relations between citizens and law enforcement in Lagos remain under scrutiny, particularly regarding conduct during stop and search operations. Encounters between police officers and public figures often attract heightened public attention, especially when allegations of assault or misconduct emerge.
Ajah and its surrounding areas are known for routine security checks due to traffic flow and urban security concerns. However, such operations have occasionally sparked controversy when claims of excessive force surface.
The Lagos State Police Command stated that the matter is under investigation and that further updates will be communicated as necessary.
What Happens Next
With two sharply contrasting accounts now in the public domain, attention is expected to turn to the outcome of the internal investigation. The findings could have implications not only for the individuals involved but also for public confidence in policing procedures in Lagos.
For now, authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as scrutiny intensifies over the events of that late-night encounter.
