There has been widespread public outrage in Kwara State following allegations that police officers detained a teenage girl “by proxy,” a development that has sparked protests and heated reactions across social media platforms.
The incident, which reportedly occurred in the Arandun area of the state, gained attention after multiple viral videos surfaced online showing residents storming a local police station to demand the release of the teenager.
In the footage, community members insisted that the girl should either be released immediately or formally charged in court if she is genuinely implicated in any offence.
According to accounts shared online, the controversy began after police reportedly attempted to arrest an individual connected to an alleged case but were unable to locate the person.
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It was further alleged that following this, the officers initially arrested the suspect’s mother, who was later released on bail after spending several days in detention.
The situation escalated when, as claimed by the family, the police returned days later and arrested the woman’s 16-year-old daughter, who has since remained in custody for several days.
The mother, speaking in a viral video in Yoruba, insisted that her daughter was not the primary suspect in the matter and appealed for her immediate release.
She also described the detention as unjust, questioning the legality of holding her child for an alleged offence linked to another individual.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.
The incident has reignited debate over the controversial practice known as “arrest by proxy,” which human rights advocates have repeatedly condemned.
The Nigeria Police Force has in previous statements also criticised the practice, describing it as improper and unacceptable.
As of now, the matter continues to generate public debate, with calls mounting for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s detention and for clarity from the authorities involved.
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