Lagos, Nigeria – We, the Take-It-Back movement, a human rights organization, are appalled by the recent spate of unlawful arrests and alleged extortion by the Nigerian Police Force and the Lagos State Task Force. In the last 24 hours, numerous individuals have been detained at various locations across Lagos, with credible reports indicating that these actions are motivated by a desire for financial gain, particularly during the festive season.
We view these actions as a blatant abuse of power, a gross violation of human rights, and a betrayal of public trust. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to liberty and security of person, and it is the duty of law enforcement agencies to uphold these rights, not exploit them for personal gain.
We call on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the head of the Task Force to immediately put an end to these illegal activities and ensure that all those arrested are released without condition. We also demand a thorough investigation into these allegations and for those responsible to be held accountable.
The people of Lagos will not be intimidated or extorted by those sworn to protect them. We will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary actions to protect the rights of our citizens.
We urge the public to report any further instances of such abuse to our organization, and we assure you that we will take swift action to address these injustices.
Signed:
Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek
Lagos State Coordinator
Oluwatosin Adeyemi,
Public Relations Officer 2,
Take-It-Back movement