The Nigeria Police Force has rejected claims of assault made by social media influencer Abike Raheem, known as Papaya Ex, following a late-night encounter with officers in Lagos.
The incident became public after the influencer went live on TikTok on Friday, where she tearfully shared her side of the story.
She said the event happened while she was returning home from a movie shoot. According to her, what began as a normal stop by police officers later turned into a serious confrontation.
Papaya Ex alleged that an officer struck her in the face with a gun during the encounter. She also claimed that her driver was attacked and that she was touched in a way she found inappropriate. She further stated that her phone was forcefully taken from her during the incident.
In response, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, gave a different version of events. He explained that the situation started shortly before 2 a.m. when officers on night patrol stopped a vehicle carrying three men and two women for a routine stop-and-search operation.
According to him, Papaya Ex refused to allow the officers to search the car. He said she insisted that the officers could not search her vehicle and claimed that even their superiors knew her. He added that after declining the search, she chose to head to the police station instead. An officer then entered her vehicle while the patrol team followed behind in their van.
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Hundeyin stated that as they moved, the influencer instructed her driver to speed off, leaving the patrol team behind. He said the patrol van was at risk of losing sight of the vehicle, which led officers to alert another patrol team stationed ahead to intercept it. He noted that the live video began after these events had already unfolded.
Further details were provided by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi. She said a white Mercedes-Benz SUV carrying five occupants, two women and three men, was stopped during a routine check. According to her, the individuals could not provide acceptable identification when asked.
Adebisi said one of the occupants repeatedly identified herself as Papaya Ex and claimed to be known by senior officers but did not present any valid means of identification or verifiable details. Officers then directed them to proceed to Ajah Police Station for proper documentation and identification. An Assistant Superintendent of Police joined them inside the SUV, while other officers followed in their patrol vehicle.
She added that after leaving the initial checkpoint, the driver suddenly accelerated in what officers believed was an attempt to evade them. The vehicle was later intercepted with the help of officers from the Langbasa Police Division at another checkpoint around Addo Roundabout.
The police explained that the viral video circulating online was recorded after the SUV had been stopped at the second checkpoint. Authorities confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation and that more information will be shared as the inquiry continues.
