Popular Nigerian social media influencer, actress, and content creator Abike Raheem, widely known as **Papaya Ex**, has publicly accused officers of the Lagos State Police Command of physical assault and harassment following a late-night encounter in the Ajah area.
In an emotional TikTok live session shared on Friday night, February 20, 2026, Papaya Ex appeared visibly distressed as she displayed visible injuries, including a prominent bruise and mark on her face. She recounted returning from a movie shoot when her vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint by patrol officers.
According to Papaya Ex, one officer allegedly struck her in the face with a gun, slapped her, hit her stomach, breasts, and buttocks, inappropriately touched her, assaulted her driver, and forcibly seized her mobile phone. She emphasized that her documents—including the driver's license and vehicle papers—were complete and handed over, yet the situation escalated into violence.
"Look at my face... He hit my face and breasts with a gun," she said tearfully during the live, urging the public to see the evidence of the alleged brutality. She further claimed the officer smelled of alcohol and described the incident as unwarranted harassment.
The influencer has since denied police counter-claims that she refused a routine vehicle search, boasted about her status ("Don't you know Papaya? Even your bosses know me"), or attempted to evade officers by speeding off. In follow-up statements, she insisted she cooperated fully and is "just trying to make movies" for her YouTube channel (@papayaextv), not fight the police.
"I’m not trying to fight the Nigerian police. Please stop lying against me," Papaya Ex posted, reiterating her desire to focus on content creation amid the controversy.
The Nigeria Police Force, through Force Public Relations Officer ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, has provided a differing account, stating the stop was part of a routine operation late at night. Authorities claimed the occupants, including Papaya Ex, failed to provide satisfactory identification initially and resisted the search, leading to the escalation. Police described her as refusing cooperation before an officer entered the vehicle, after which she allegedly instructed her driver to speed away, prompting interception.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage online, with calls for justice, renewed discussions on #EndPoliceBrutality, and support from fellow influencers and celebrities. Some users have expressed skepticism, citing conflicting narratives, while others demand a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct.
Papaya Ex, known for her bold personality, skits, and growing presence in Nollywood-style content, has vowed to pursue the matter legally. She has shared that more victims have come forward with similar experiences involving the same officers.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about police conduct during stop-and-search operations in Lagos and across Nigeria, particularly for women and public figures.
**Papaya Ex (from TikTok live and social media posts):** "I just want to make movies and create content. This is not fair... Look at what they did to me."
The Lagos State Police Command has not issued further detailed updates as of this release, but the matter continues to trend on social media platforms.
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