The Lagos State Police Command has responded to a viral video of alleged assault on a Nigerian influencer, Abike Raheem, popularly known as Papaya Ex.
The influencer had during a TikTok live session on Friday, alleged that a police officer assaulted her at the Ajah area of Lagos State, while returning from a movie set.
She had accused the officer of striking her face with a gun, slapping her, hitting vital feminine parts of her body, assaulting her driver, and forcefully taking her phone.
Although the influencer had shown visible injuries on her face, the incident was however, not captured on video following alleged network issues.
Responding to the allegations, spokesperson for the command, SP Abimbola Adebisi in a post on her X handle @AbimbolaShotayo on Saturday, said that Papaya Ex and her friends resisted being checked during a search operation by the police.
“The vehicle carrying five occupants; two females and three males, was intercepted during a routine stop-and-search operation.
“The occupants failed to provide satisfactory identification.
“One individual repeatedly claimed, “I am Papaya X, even your bosses know me,” but did not present valid documentation or verifiable details, ” she said.
Adebisi said that the police instructed that the vehicle proceed to Ajah Police Station for proper verification with an ASP accompanying them while other officers followed.
The spokesperson added that the driver suddenly attempted to evade the police but was intercepted by personnel from Langbasa Police Division at Addo Roundabout.
The image maker said that the viral video circulating online was recorded after the vehicle had been stopped at the second checkpoint.
According to her, the matter was under investigation and promised to provide further updates as necessary.
