Electrician released by police after media pressure

An electrician, Ayomide Obamuyiwa, detained by the police in Iba, since Friday, has been released following public outcry and media reports.

Why it matters: This incident highlights the misuse of police powers, including illegal detention and extortion attempts, as well as the influence of media advocacy in holding authorities accountable.

Go deeper: Obamuyiwa was arrested when the police, searching for his cousin Idowu Usman over a stolen phone, failed to find him at home. Despite presenting Usman on Tuesday, the police allegedly demanded ₦2 million for Obamuyiwa’s release. After the story gained traction on social media and pressure mounted from Abuja, he was freed. The Divisional Police Officer, Omolola Opeifa, claimed ignorance of the situation and reprimanded her officers.

Quote: “There was pressure from Abuja to let the man go after reports of his detention went viral on X,” a friend of Obamuyiwa, Oluwatobi Adams, said.