By Adedotun M. Ogunyemi
In a bizarre and deeply unsettling development, Mr. Yomi Fabiyi, a Nollywood actor and self-styled advocate in the ongoing Justice for Mohbad struggle, has shocked Nigerians and the international community by claiming that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), particularly officers at Zone 2 Command, demanded an iPhone and an Android phone from him to conduct forensic analysis on a device involved in a case.
At first, many dismissed this as one of Yomi Fabiyi’s attention-seeking stunts. But as the days passed, it became clear that this was no joke. Yomi Fabiyi confirmed on a TikTok live session that he had indeed secured both an iPhone and an Android phone to hand over to the Nigerian police as requested. What’s even more disheartening is that these gadgets were purchased through public donations, solicited from well-meaning Nigerians who, despite being taxpayers, felt compelled to contribute to fund what should ordinarily be the responsibility of a well-funded police force.
This incident has triggered a wave of public outrage, not just at the Nigerian Police Force but also at the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria. It raises several pressing questions that demand immediate answers.
HOW DID WE GET HERE? This is a Question for the Nigerian Police Force and it is very important to have an answer for the people.
How is it possible that a national institution like the Nigerian Police Force, with all its allocated budgets, highly respectable leadership and sophisticated resources, would stoop so low as to demand smartphones from an ordinary citizen before conducting basic forensic analysis?
Forensic analysis is an essential part of modern criminal investigations. It involves the extraction, analysis, and interpretation of data from digital devices to gather evidence. Globally, police forces are equipped with state-of-the-art forensic tools, but in Nigeria—where security concerns are at an all-time high—we are now being told that officers cannot proceed without soliciting gadgets from civilians.
This situation paints a disturbing picture of inefficiency and lack of capacity within the Nigerian Police Force. It raises the following critical questions:
1. Where is the forensic budget allocated to the Nigerian police?
2. Is this the new standard operating procedure for forensic investigations in Nigeria?
3. Were the officers at Zone 2 Command acting on their own accord, or is this a reflection of systemic decay within the NPF?
4. How can the police maintain public trust if they are soliciting gadgets from private citizens to do their job?
This is a global embarrassment! And Nigeria’s image at stake. This scandal has not gone unnoticed internationally. Foreign observers, journalists, and Nigerians in the diaspora are bewildered by the idea that a country like Nigeria—Africa’s largest economy—cannot afford to equip its police force with basic forensic tools.
A friend from the United Kingdom who listened to Yomi Fabiyi’s narration was left stunned. Her questions were straightforward but cutting:
“Do Nigerians not pay taxes?”
“Does Nigeria truly have a trained and equipped police force?”
These are questions that strike at the heart of Nigeria’s reputation as a sovereign nation capable of maintaining law and order. The perception that a country of over 200 million people is unable to provide its law enforcement with the necessary tools to conduct investigations is not just an embarrassment—it is a national disgrace.
This incident has not only tarnished the image of the Nigerian Police Force but has also ridiculed Nigeria’s standing in the international community. It sends a dangerous message that Nigeria’s security architecture is in disarray and that even basic investigative procedures require external assistance from private individuals.
Aside, this is a big insult to the Government of the day and taxpayers. The implications of this scandal go beyond the Nigerian Police. It is a slap in the face of the Lagos State Government and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state. It is a betrayal of trust to Nigerian taxpayers who contribute to the national treasury with the expectation that public institutions will be well-funded and capable of delivering on their mandates.
The fact that taxpaying citizens had to dip into their pockets to provide tools for a basic investigation is an affront to the principles of governance and accountability. It highlights the glaring disconnect between the Nigerian government and the plight of its citizens.
This is where the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Government must take immediate and decisive action. Was this an institutional failure or the work of a few rogue officers in Zone 2 who were acting outside of their mandate?
If this was a case of individual officers overstepping their boundaries, they must be fished out and made to face disciplinary action. Their actions have tarnished the reputation of the entire police force and brought international ridicule to the country.
However, if this incident reflects a larger systemic issue within the Nigerian Police Force, then the government must immediately overhaul its approach to equipping and training law enforcement personnel.
What is/are the implications of this National disgrace?.
Erosion of Public Trust: If citizens cannot trust the police to conduct investigations without begging for basic gadgets, public confidence in law enforcement will plummet.
Demarketing Nigeria as a Nation: Nigeria’s ability to attract foreign investment and maintain global partnerships is at stake. No investor wants to operate in a country where the police cannot perform basic functions.
Increased Insecurity: If the police cannot do their job effectively, criminals will feel emboldened. A compromised police force is a breeding ground for lawlessness.
I must say; this is time for accountability and transparency, and the Lagos State Government and the Inspector General of Police must act NOW.
The public deserves answers:
1. Was this an isolated incident, or is this the new reality of police investigations in Nigeria?
2. Who were the officers that demanded these phones, and what disciplinary action is being taken against them?
3. What steps are being taken to ensure that such embarrassing requests never occur again?
Nigeria cannot afford to allow this debacle to go unaddressed. The world is watching, and the reputation of the country is on the line. The time for empty promises and bureaucratic excuses is over.
NIGERIA DESERVES BETTER!
This incident is not just about Yomi Fabiyi or the 3-second video drama—it is about the integrity of Nigeria’s law enforcement system and the dignity of its people. Nigerians deserve a police force that is equipped, trained, and capable of performing its duties without begging for assistance from private citizens.
If the Nigerian Police Force truly wants to regain public trust and restore its battered image, this is the moment to take decisive action. Anything less would be a disservice to the nation and a betrayal of the millions who still believe in the dream of a just and secure Nigeria.
The world is watching. Will Nigeria rise to the occasion or continue to be the subject of ridicule?
