A Lagos State resident has alleged that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force shot him after he questioned the arrest of some young men in the Powerline area, before allegedly demanding ₦300,000 for the release of victims.

The incident reportedly occurred last Wednesday around 3 PM, when the victim noticed officers stopping and searching several individuals, attempting to force them into a police van. Concerned, he intervened after recognizing one of the men.

“I saw the policemen stopping some guys, searching them, and trying to push them into a police van,” he said. “I asked why they were being arrested, but they warned me not to interfere. I insisted on knowing their offense.”

He alleged that a uniformed officer initially ordered the release of the young man after finding nothing incriminating. However, the situation escalated when officers allegedly attached to Area G Command arrived, prompting renewed attempts at arrests.

According to the victim, a senior officer threatened him with lethal force and fired shots. “The next thing I saw was him cocking the gun and he shot. One bullet hit my thigh, another my thumb as I tried to run away,” he said.

Despite being wounded, the victim claimed he and others were arrested and taken to Elere Police Station, where they were allegedly beaten and forced to confess to crimes they did not commit.

“They beat me to confess to a crime I did not commit,” he said, adding that they were detained overnight despite his injuries.

The following day, the officers reportedly demanded money for bail and a damaged phone, with the total amount paid reaching ₦300,000. “We were forced to pay ₦150,000 for the phone and ₦150,000 for bail,” the victim explained.

When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Elere Police Station denied the allegations, despite video evidence supporting the residents’ claims.