In a post shared by @papaya_ex on Instagram, the popular Nigerian lifestyle influencer and content creator claimed she was harassed and physically assaulted by police officers in Lagos. The social media star shared emotional footage showing her in a state of distress, alleging that the encounter occurred during a stop-and-search operation.
According to the influencer, the situation escalated when she questioned the conduct of the officers involved. She expressed deep trauma over the incident, which has sparked a massive outcry from her millions of followers and sparked a renewed conversation about the treatment of citizens by law enforcement in Nigeria.
The Lagos State Police Command has since responded to the viral claims, offering a different account of the event. While acknowledging the encounter, authorities suggested that the influencer may have been uncooperative during the routine procedure, leading to the friction seen in the video.
As the story develops, fans and human rights advocates are calling for a transparent investigation into the matter. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between high-profile content creators and security agencies in Nigeria’s urban centers.
* Vanguard Nigeria (News Outlet): “’Papaya Ex refused to cooperate during stop’ – Police counter assault claim.”
* The Nation (News Outlet): “Influencer Papaya Ex alleges police brutality in Lagos… incident occurred late Friday night.”
Echotitbits take:
This incident follows a long line of public face-offs between Nigerian celebrities and the police. While Papaya Ex’s video provides a visceral look at her distress, the police’s swift counter-statement suggests a legal battle or a formal petition might follow. Expect this to dominate the “Police is your friend” discourse on TikTok and X for the next few days.
Source: BusinessDay — https://dailypost.ng/2026/02/21/lagos-police-respond-to-papaya-ex-assault-allegation/ February 21, 2026
Photo credit: BusinessDay
