Uproar in Kwara as police allegedly detain 16-year-old girl as ‘substitute’ for brother who allegedly stole generator

Residents of Arandun community in Kwara State stormed the local police station over the weekend, protesting the alleged unlawful detention of a 16-year-old girl who has been held for three days.

According to community sources, police operatives, seeking the girl’s brother in connection with an alleged generator theft, took the teenager into custody when they failed to find the suspect at home. Protesters claimed the girl has been denied food and visitation rights by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO). 

The mother of the teenager mentioned that she was also arrested and held during the incident.

‘’Nigerians, please come to my aid.  Help me. My son committed a crime and the police came to arrest him. When they did not see him, they picked me up. I spent three days in police custody. They collected bail money from me. One week later, they came back and arrested my 16-year-old daughter. I have pleaded with them but they insist they will charge my daughter to court. 

She is not the one that committed the crime. She is just sixteen years old.” the mother said in Yoruba

The state police command is yet to comment on the case.