United States federal authorities have charged a 24 year old Nigerian national, Damilola Bamigboye, with resisting arrest and abducting a federal officer following an incident that reportedly escalated into a hostage situation during an attempted immigration related arrest in Minnesota. Court documents reviewed by Peoples Gazette show that Mr Bamigboye was charged alongside an alleged accomplice, Rekeya Frazier.
According to filings by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the incident occurred on December 10 in Plymouth, Minnesota, when agents of the Department of Homeland Security Investigations were conducting surveillance on Mr Bamigboye over allegations that he had overstayed his student visa. What authorities described as a routine enforcement operation quickly deteriorated into a dramatic confrontation involving a moving vehicle and the temporary detention of a federal agent.
Investigators said an undisclosed number of HSI agents were stationed inside a parked Ford Explorer vehicle monitoring Mr Bamigboye’s residence and his Kia Optima. Although the surveillance vehicle was unmarked, it was equipped with emergency lights and sirens. While agents were observing the area, a Jeep SUV arrived and parked next to the Kia. Mr Bamigboye was identified as the front seat passenger, while Ms Frazier, believed to be his girlfriend, was behind the wheel.
According to the FBI, Mr Bamigboye appeared to notice the presence of law enforcement officers. He allegedly put on a face mask to conceal his identity and began moving items from the front seat to the rear of the vehicle. Ms Frazier stepped out briefly but remained near the driver’s door.
The agents then exited their vehicle, displayed their badges, and identified themselves as law enforcement officers. At that point, Mr Bamigboye, who had moved into the back seat, reportedly became uncooperative after learning that the agents intended to question him about his immigration status.
In a sworn statement to US Magistrate Judge David Schultz, FBI Special Agent Terry Getsch said Mr Bamigboye suddenly grabbed the driver’s headrest and ordered Ms Frazier to flee the scene.
“He yelled at Frazier, ‘Drive! Drive! Drive! Get in the car and drive now,’ or words to that effect,” Mr Getsch wrote.
As Ms Frazier complied and attempted to start the vehicle, one agent entered the front passenger seat in an effort to stop her from driving away, while another agent struggled with Mr Bamigboye in the back seat, attempting to pull him out of the vehicle. Despite the struggle, Ms Frazier managed to start the Jeep, forcing the second agent to jump out to avoid being struck as the vehicle lurched forward.
With the first agent still inside the Jeep, the front door slammed shut and the vehicle drove off.
“Agent 1 was now being involuntarily carried in the Jeep as it drove,” the FBI stated in its report.
The agent reportedly demanded that Ms Frazier stop the vehicle, warning that her actions would worsen the situation. He attempted to take control of the steering and park the vehicle, but Ms Frazier allegedly pushed his hand away and threatened to crash the Jeep. She also told the agent she would take him to a police station.
The FBI said the agent, who was temporarily assigned to Minnesota and unfamiliar with the area, feared he was being abducted.
“Agent 1 is assigned to another HSI office and is not familiar with Minnesota. He had no idea where they were going and was in fear that he was being abducted,” the report stated.
Meanwhile, the surveillance vehicle carrying the other agents pursued the Jeep with emergency lights and sirens activated. During the pursuit, Mr Bamigboye reportedly called 911, while the agent inside the Jeep shouted that he was a federal officer on official duty and contacted HSI operations for assistance.
The agent later drew his firearm and ordered Ms Frazier to stop the vehicle, but authorities said she continued driving. The Jeep was eventually brought to a stop in front of the New Hope Police Department, approximately two miles from Mr Bamigboye’s residence.
As the vehicle slowed to park, Mr Bamigboye allegedly jumped out and ran into a nearby Hy Vee grocery store. An agent pursued him and he was later apprehended at the rear of the store. Ms Frazier initially refused to exit the vehicle and was described as uncooperative until uniformed police officers arrived and took her into custody.
Following his arrest, Mr Bamigboye initially declined to speak with investigators but later agreed to be interviewed after being advised of his rights. According to the FBI, he denied that the agents properly identified themselves but admitted to struggling with a federal officer and instructing Ms Frazier to drive away.
He reportedly attributed his actions to post traumatic stress disorder, claiming he developed the condition after being kidnapped while living in Nigeria.
“The 24 year old claimed he acted the way he had because he had PTSD from having been previously kidnapped while living in his home country of Nigeria,” Mr Getsch told the court.
The FBI said it had probable cause to believe that Mr Bamigboye and Ms Frazier acted in concert to abduct a federal officer during the encounter. Authorities alleged that their actions violated Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 111, which covers assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers and includes circumstances involving physical contact and intent to commit another felony.
Mr Bamigboye was formally arraigned before Magistrate Judge David Schultz at the federal court in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Further proceedings are expected as the case moves through the judicial process.
