The Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims that men, women, and a young boy were detained together in a single cell at Maroko Police Station, Lekki.
News About Nigeria reports that the allegation arose from a viral video posted by a user identified as Oyindamola, known as #dammiedammie35 on X (formerly Twitter).
In the video, a woman, referring to herself as “real omo”, claimed she and others, including a young boy, were crowded together in the same cell.
“Men and women are together in the cell. See small pikin [sic] with children…We need help right now,” a voice in the video lamented.
She further explained that they had been picked up by security operatives the previous night while walking in Lekki, unaware of an ongoing raid.
“Yesterday night, they picked us…they said we could not walk because they were raiding…I’m a victim. They said I’m going to prison for walking at night?” she questioned in disbelief.
The video also showed an open roof and damaged walls in the holding area.
In response, the Lagos police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, debunked the claims via a tweet on Monday.
He clarified that the individuals were being held in a visible “holding area” at the station’s charge room, not an actual cell.
Hundeyin stated, “Once they move into the cell proper, they are properly separated, and they would not even have their phones with them.”
In a follow-up video shared by the police, five males and five females were shown standing against the wall in what the officer described as an “open cell” near the charge room.
The officer explained that the individuals were runaway children, brought in by concerned Lekki residents.
“Most of them, their parents have come to take them,” the officer added.
