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| Police raid sparks calls for justice now |
A group of men in blue uniforms forced open the gate of a private flat in Ado‑Ekiti on July 26, 2025. They came in broad daylight. A bystander filmed them at the entrance to the Adebayo neighbourhood. The scene shows officers pushing through the door with speed and force .
The video went viral on X, drawing anger and shock. Many called the act a “daylight robbery” by men sworn to serve citizens . A user, Michael (@MichealFrosh32), first shared it. He urged police leaders to act fast against the rogue team .
Within hours, the Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU) posted a reply. It asked Michael to send more details by direct message. The unit said it would use that information to launch an inquiry .
Local rights activists see the step as needed. Yet they worry. They say past probes into police wrongs often end with no one held to account . The Amnesty report found Nigeria police used excessive force on peaceful protesters in August 2024. It urged clear probes and justice for victims .
The officers in the clip wear badges of Operation Flush. That unit fights river pollution and criminal gangs in Ekiti State. Its name reflects a drive to clear disorder. But the video shows men in plain masks, not riot gear. They forced in as if on a raid for loot, not law .
No one saw any warrant. No notice came before the entry. Nigerian law allows police to enter a home only with a warrant, or in hot pursuit of suspects . Residents say neither condition applied that day. The flat owner, who asked not to be named, said officers gave no warning. They broke the lock, barged in, and looked through rooms. No one at home spoke to them.
Ekiti State is seen as calm compared to other regions. Its governor, Biodun Oyebanji, won praise this year for low crime rates. He set up community patrols that work with the police. But this event dents that image .
The state police command has yet to speak on record. A call to its press office rang unanswered. Local papers note silence from top brass. That void fuels doubt about police will to police themselves .
Citizens now ask hard questions. Why did officers act this way? Who ordered them? What was the target? Many fear theft, extortion or a crude money‑making scheme by the men in uniform. One lawyer said extortion by some police squads is common in some states, despite new laws to curb it .
The PCRU probe could shine light. It gathers complaints and tracks misconduct. It has launched dozens of such probes in recent years. Yet only a handful led to court. Rights groups press for swift public updates. They want all evidence, such as the full video and witness names, to stay safe and public .
Nigerian law grants citizens rights against unlawful entry. The 1999 constitution and Police Act set clear rules. They also bar police from taking private property without due process . Expert lawyers say this case may be open‑and‑shut: no warrant, no hot pursuit means breach of law.
Ekiti civil society groups plan a rally. They call on the Inspector General in Abuja to step in. They demand full sanction of any officer found at fault. They also call for faster reform of police rules on entry and search .
This event comes amid wider concern over police conduct in Nigeria. In 2024, thousands marched under #EndBadGovernance, then under #EndSARS. Protestors decried routine abuse, extortion and extra‑judicial violence . The force vowed reforms. It even wrote to Amnesty for apology after it reported crackdowns. Yet public trust stays low .
At home in Ado‑Ekiti, residents now live with fresh worry. They see men in blue but fear they bring lawless acts. Some now lock extra bolts on their doors. Shops in the area report a small drop in foot traffic since the clip spread. Owners say many avoid the spot where the flat sits.
The day this happened, July 26, 2025, will not soon fade from local talk. The PCRU probe starts now. Nigerians everywhere await its result. They hope it will send a message: officers must serve the people, not prey on them.
This story will be updated as the inquiry unfolds.