Lagos State Police Command has refuted claims of assault made by social media influencer Halima Raheem, popularly known as Papaya Ex.
Gatekeepers News reports that the police clarified that the incident occurred because she refused to comply with a routine security check.
Papaya Ex had shared a video online alleging that she and her driver were mistreated at a checkpoint in the Ajah area of Lagos, claiming that officers assaulted them and seized her phone. She also claimed that she had already presented the required documents when the alleged harassment occurred.
However, the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, gave a different account. He said the incident happened shortly before 2am during a night patrol when officers stopped a vehicle carrying three men and two women for a standard check.
According to Hundeyin, Papaya Ex bluntly refused to allow the officers to search her car, asserting her identity as a social media influencer.
Hundeyin explained that after her initial refusal, she later agreed to proceed to a police station. He added that the situation escalated when she instructed her driver to speed off, forcing the patrol team to alert another checkpoint to intercept the vehicle.
“At that rate, the patrol van was going to lose them. The police had to radio the patrol team far ahead to intercept them. Then the live began,” Hundeyin said.
The police confirmed that no assault took place and said the Lagos State Police Command is conducting a full investigation to ensure accountability.
