The Lagos State arm of the #EndBadGovernance movement has condemned what it described as the abduction and illegal detention of well-known TikTok activist and musician, Saheed Jamiu Osam, widely known as Shamsodium, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement released on Monday, signed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Oloye Adegboyega-Adeniji on behalf of the Organising Committee, the group alleged that Shamsodium was deceived into attending a bogus photoshoot in Lagos on Thursday, July 18, where he was apprehended by officers dressed in plain clothes.
They further expressed concern over reported plans to transfer him to Abuja, which they fear may be a ploy to suppress his activism and isolate him from public attention.
“We strongly denounce the abduction of Saheed Jamiu Osam, popularly known as Shamsodium, by the Nigerian police,” the group said in the statement.
The group noted that Shamsodium has consistently spoken out against corrupt political figures and has been involved in multiple protests calling for good governance in Nigeria.
Through his music and viral social media content, Shamsodium gained a large following by directly challenging corruption and misrule. He also played a leading role in protests seeking justice for the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad—a case that has stirred suspicion of foul play and allegations of a cover-up.
The movement suggested that the activist’s recent outspoken efforts may have made him a target.
“There’s a strong belief that those unsettled by his activism are behind his ordeal,” the statement read. “It’s important to stress that criticism of public officials is not a crime.”
The #EndBadGovernance group also criticised what they described as the Nigerian police’s increasing use as a “thug-for-hire” tool, accusing law enforcement agents of being weaponised for settling personal and political grudges.
They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Shamsodium, calling for an end to the ongoing clampdown on critics and dissidents.
“To be clear, public criticism is not an offence,” they emphasized. “It forms part of the foundation of democracy and is protected under the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.”
They added that if any individual feels wronged or defamed, the proper constitutional route is through civil litigation, not abuse of police power.
“We condemn the use of the Nigeria Police Force to hound, abduct, and detain citizens for simply speaking out,” the statement continued.
“We urge the police to abandon its current pattern of being used as an instrument of harassment. The actions of certain officers suggest they are willing tools in the hands of those who wish to silence dissent.”
The group concluded by demanding the prompt and unconditional release of Saheed Jamiu Osam, popularly known as Shamsodium, and called for a halt to the targeted abduction and intimidation of vocal citizens.
This incident has sparked comparisons to previous cases of clampdowns on activists and outspoken figures, particularly since the #EndSARS movement of 2020, when young Nigerians demanded an end to police brutality and widespread reforms.
In the aftermath of those protests, several activists have reported being watched, harassed, or detained by security agents.
The case surrounding Mohbad’s mysterious death in 2023 remains unresolved, with growing frustration over the authorities’ handling of the investigation. Activists like Shamsodium have continued to channel public outrage both online and on the streets, insisting on transparency and justice.
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