A Nigerian-American soldier, Dolapo (@MrNigerD on X), shared a disturbing account of being assaulted by officers of the Oyo State police command outside Lime Lounge, a popular nightclub on Ring Road in Ibadan.
Dolapo, who was visiting Nigeria for personal reasons, described how a casual night out turned violent when police officers mistook him for a “Yahoo Boy” (internet fraudster).
Encounter Outside the Club
According to Dolapo, the incident began as he was leaving the nightclub and preparing to get into a taxi. A police officer approached him with a raised weapon, prompting Dolapo to request the officer to lower it for a conversation. Instead of complying, the officer shoved him aggressively.
The situation quickly escalated as two more officers joined in, with one even firing a warning shot into the air. Dolapo, a trained U.S. soldier, attempted to defuse the situation without revealing his military background, stating that he wanted to address the issue as an ordinary civilian. However, his foreign accent seemed to exacerbate the officers’ aggression, as they mistook it for weakness.
Military Intervention
As the officers tried to overpower Dolapo using pepper spray, the situation took a dramatic turn when Nigerian Air Force personnel, led by Capt. Abdullah, arrived at the scene. The military officers intervened, calming the situation and compelling the police to change their confrontational approach.
Once Dolapo identified himself as a U.S. soldier, the officers became more conciliatory. The military team offered to escort him back to his hotel, but Dolapo, visibly upset by the incident, declined. Instead, they flagged down a taxi to ensure he left safely.
Dolapo Speaks Out
Reflecting on the incident, Dolapo expressed gratitude for the military’s intervention but harshly criticized the Nigerian police, calling the force “beyond reform.” He highlighted systemic issues of misconduct and profiling, which he believes tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation and undermine public trust.
Public Outcry and Calls for Reform
The encounter has sparked widespread criticism of police misconduct in Nigeria, with many online users voicing their frustrations.
The Oyo State police command has not yet issued an official statement about the incident at the time of filing this report
