Former Big Brother Naija housemates Lucy and Kaisha have recounted an unpleasant experience with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). They described how they were allegedly assaulted by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
As this assault occurred, one of the reality TV stars switched to Instagram Live and recorded the rather unfortunate occurrence with men of the Nigerian Police Force. Kaisha who was recording, was talking at the top of her voice explaining what went down prior.
In Kaisha’s account of the incident, one of the police officers asked to search her handbag, and she refused. When Lucy asked Kaisha to get into the car, one of the officers prevented the ladies from entering their car.
It is not clear how the assault ended because the live session was cut midway when the police officer hit Kaisha’s phone.
This is not the first time a celebrity is facing the unruly wrath of the Nigeria Police Force.
It has become a recurrent event, where celebrities and common men are harassed and assaulted by police officers.
Last year, on Saturday October 3, 2020, a video showing a SARS police officer shooting a young Nigerian in front of Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State trended on the Internet.
The police officers allegedly took away the young man’s vehicle – a Lexus SUV. The trending video caused public outcry on social media, especially on Twitter, with the #ENDSARS hashtag trending.
Just as the ENDSARS trend began on Twitter, on Monday 5 October 2020, another report surfaced of SARS officers killing a 20-year-old upcoming musician named Daniel Chibuike, popularly called Sleek in his neighbourhood. Sleek was reportedly sitting in front of a hotel with a friend when the SARS officers approached them, prompting them to flee for their lives. Eyewitnesses said, the SARS men pursued the pair, shouting “thief”, before shooting Sleek as they ran through a supermarket. His friend was arrested.
On Thursday October 8, 2020, nationwide protests on ENDSARS started after weeks of outrage and anger with videos and pictures showing police brutality, harassment and extortion in Nigeria.
The protests were led predominantly by young Nigerians in different cities alongside many activists and celebrities. Nigeria Police Force disrupted the protests in some cities, throwing teargas, using water cannons and shooting at unarmed peaceful protesters as seen in Abuja and Osun leading to the death of young Jimoh Isiaq in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
By Wednesday, October 14, 2020, the End SARS protests gained momentum led by young people in different parts of Nigeria with intensified calls for reforms and accountability in police operations