The Federal Capital Territory’s Bwari Area Council has been thrown into tension following the arrest of Take It Back (TIB) Movement member and community advocate, Comrade Bototo Ijengha, in a development that has ignited public outrage and renewed concerns over alleged abuse of police powers.
Ijengha was reportedly arrested at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, under circumstances the Take It Back Movement described as an attempt to intimidate community leaders and silence those demanding justice over an alleged fraud case.
According to the movement, the arrest was instigated by Mr. Solomon Apangbu, a Ghanaian national who is alleged to be wanted by a Bwari Magistrate Court in connection with fraudulent business activities within the community. The group claimed that while some of Apangbu’s alleged accomplices have been arrested, remanded and are facing trial, the principal suspect has continued to evade arrest despite the existence of a court warrant.
The movement further alleged that rather than enforcing the court warrant against the wanted suspect, officers attached to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 7, entertained complaints lodged by Apangbu against the very individuals who had accused him of fraud.
TIB specifically accused CSP Umar Arikya of declining to act on complaints against the suspect and instead authorising actions that resulted in the arrest of Comrade Ijengha, despite the pending court process involving the alleged fraud case.
The development has fueled accusations that law enforcement officers are being used to intimidate victims and shield an individual whom community members insist should be answering to the law.
Adding to the controversy, Apangbu was also alleged to have filed petitions against the Chairman of the affected community, Mr. Musa Suleiman, as well as several residents who had demanded that he refund money allegedly obtained from members of the community through fraudulent transactions.
Residents described the petitions as acts of retaliation intended to suppress opposition and discourage victims from pursuing justice through lawful means.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the situation had shaken public confidence in the justice system.
“It is difficult to understand how someone said to be wanted by a court can remain free while those demanding justice are the ones being arrested. The authorities should execute the court warrant instead of allowing innocent people to be intimidated,” the resident said.
As news of Ijengha’s detention spread across Bwari, anxiety and anger reportedly intensified, with residents warning that the incident could further erode public trust in law enforcement if urgent action is not taken.
The Take It Back Movement, FCT Chapter, described the arrest as an attack on civic activism and the rule of law, insisting that community leaders should not become targets simply for demanding accountability.
Speaking on behalf of the movement, the FCT Coordinator, Comrade Moses Andrew, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Bototo Ijengha before Monday. He also called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, and other relevant authorities to order an independent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved, enforce the outstanding court warrant against Solomon Apangbu, and ensure that all parties are treated equally before the law.
As of the time of filing this report, Comrade Bototo Ijengha remained in police custody, while the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations contained in the petition submitted by the Take It Back Movement.