The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has announced the release of a motorcycle belonging to Mr. Ibrahim Badamosi, a bike rider in Dopemu, after what the group described as sustained public pressure and solidarity from activists and residents.
In a press statement on Sunday, the group said the motorcycle had earlier been taken by policemen on Thursday, March 12, 2026, before it was eventually returned.
The statement was signed by the National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, Michael Adaramoye, popularly known as Lenin, and the National Secretary of the organisation, Francis Nwapa.
“The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) wishes to inform the public that the motorcycle belonging to Mr. Ibrahim Badamosi, a poor bike rider in Dopemu whose bike was forcefully taken by policemen on Thursday, 12 March 2026, has now been released,” the group said.
The organisation said the release followed widespread protest messages and pressure from members of the public.
“Following the widespread calls, protest messages, and public pressure mounted by comrades, residents, and members of the public, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Dopemu Police Station, CSP Olaitan Adekunle, contacted the National Secretary of YRC to apologize for the conduct of his men and assured that such incidents would be addressed,” the statement said.
The statement further noted that the officer promised improved relations between the police and youths in the community.
The YRC commended activists and members of the public whose intervention ensured the release of the motorcycle.
“This development once again demonstrates that collective pressure and public resistance remain powerful tools in defending the rights of ordinary people,” the statement said.
However, the organisation said the incident reflects a wider problem of alleged harassment and extortion by some police officers across Lagos.
It urged the police hierarchy to take concrete steps to address such practices.
“We therefore hope that the police hierarchy will take concrete steps to end the practice of arbitrary raids and the extortion of young people, many of whom are already struggling under the severe economic hardship imposed by the neoliberal policies of the current administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC government,” the statement added.
The group also acknowledged the intervention of the Nigeria Police Force leadership, commending “the Inspector-General of Police for his swift response to the matter and appreciates the DPO, CSP Olaitan Adekunle, for doing the right thing in ensuring the release of the bike”.
“The struggle for justice, dignity, and the protection of democratic rights of young people, workers and all oppressed people will continue,” the group added.
Last Friday, the group condemned the growing harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and extortion allegedly carried out by officers of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Alabo Police Station in the Dopemu area of Lagos State.
The group cited an incident that occurred on Thursday, March 12, involving a commercial motorcyclist, Badamosi, whose motorcycle was allegedly seized by policemen in Dopemu.
According to YRC, Badamosi, who resides on Akinwunmi Street off Union Road in Dopemu, had just returned from work around 10 p.m. and went to Alfa Yusuf Street, near his residence, to purchase food in preparation for his pre-dawn meal as a Muslim observing the fast.
The group reported that Badamosi was taken to the police station and detained overnight. Although the police later confirmed that he had committed no crime, the Station Officer, identified as Tanimowo Hammed, allegedly intimidated his family and compelled them to pay ₦12,000 before he was released on Friday afternoon.
