Papaya Ex: Police dismisses influencer’s allegations of assault, harassment
The Nigeria Police Force has provided its account of the encounter with social media influencer Papaya Ex, challenging her claims of police assault. Papaya Ex had alleged that a police
The Nigeria Police Force has provided its account of the encounter with social media influencer Papaya Ex, challenging her claims of police assault.
Papaya Ex had alleged that a police officer physically attacked her, citing visible injuries, and stated that harassment by officers in the Ajah area is frequent.
Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin explained that the influencer initially refused to allow officers to search her vehicle, asserting that her status as a public figure exempted her.
He added that Papaya Ex also instructed her driver to flee, prompting a police pursuit.
Hundeyin emphasised that police personnel were following standard operational procedures and that the escalation occurred as a result of her actions.
Read Also: Influencer Papaya Ex alleges police brutality in Lagos
Hundeyin wrote, "The part before she went live. Just before 2 am, police on night patrol stopped a car conveying three men and two women and asked to check the car. She bluntly refused, saying, ‘You cannot search my car. Don’t you know Papaya? Even your bosses know me.’
"She chose to go to the station after which an officer sat in her vehicle, not before an initial refusal. Her vehicle was in front while the patrol vehicle was following behind. She instructed her driver to speed off, leaving the patrol vehicle far behind. At that rate, the patrol van was going to lose them. The police had to radio the patrol team far ahead to intercept them. Then life began."
The police have indicated they will take the matter further, implying an investigation will be conducted, "LagosPoliceNG will take it from here".
