Police dismiss allegations of missing seized protest equipment
Allegations that items seized alongside a truck from protesters who blocked Awolowo Way, Ikeja, on January 28 have gone missing are unfounded, mischievous, The Nation learnt yesterday. The items, including
Allegations that items seized alongside a truck from protesters who blocked Awolowo Way, Ikeja, on January 28 have gone missing are unfounded, mischievous, The Nation learnt yesterday.
The items, including two generators, speakers, a laptop, among others, have been marked as exhibits and safely kept at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Yaba.
Some of the protesters, including Taiwo Hassan and Dele Fran,k were charged to court by the Lagos Police Command following their arrest for alleged acts of insurrection, other offences.
Refuting the claims, the police said the truck, which was released to the protesters on February 10, was on bond, following a request from their lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).
The command said the truck was also an exhibit and was released on the ground that it would be provided whenever it was needed in the ongoing case against the suspects.
'There is no way we would have released all the items which are exhibits. I think they are either being mischievous or very ignorant of the law. All the items have been marked as exhibits and safely kept.
The truck was released on bond to Mr. Falana, who requested it on their behalf. It is also part of the exhibit and will be provided on demand," said a senior officer who pleaded anonymity as he was not authorised to speak on the issue.
In a statement yesterday, an activist, Frank Nwapa, accused the police of misplacing the seized protest equipment, demanding accountability.
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"During the peaceful protest against forceful evictions, police officers forcefully confiscated a hired truck containing essential materials used for the demonstration. These included: The hired truck; two generators; three large sound speakers; other sound system gadgets; a table; a First Aid box; a laptop computer; and other personal belongings
"All items were inside the truck at the time it was seized by officers of the Lagos State Police Command.
"After 13 days in police custody, the truck was grudgingly released on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh.
However, when the vehicle was returned, the DJ equipment and other seized items that had been inside the truck were missing...
"The Nigeria Police Force must immediately produce the missing items and return them to their rightful owners. If the items cannot be produced, full compensation must be paid for both the value of the equipment and the number of days the DJ was prevented from working," the statement added.
