The Nigeria Police Force has come under intense scrutiny following the arrest and detention of a social media user, Charles Uche Ihedioha, over his online comment regarding the abduction of Folasade Odumosu, wife of retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.
The controversial arrest was reportedly carried out on the orders of Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who has gained notoriety for his frequent online threats and authoritarian stance against Nigerians criticizing the police.
According to SaharaReporters, the 31-year-old Twitter (X) user was apprehended on Thursday, January 23, 2025, and is currently detained at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) headquarters.
“Adejobi ordered his arrest for mocking the abduction of the retired AIG’s wife and the budget scandal,” a source familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters.
Police sources claimed Charles made a comment about the January 16 kidnapping of Mrs. Odumosu, an incident that saw four masked gunmen ambush and abduct her from her Lexus SUV in Lagos State.
She was later rescued in a dramatic operation in the swampy areas of Ikorodu after an intense gun battle, during which two kidnappers were neutralized, while others escaped with bullet wounds. The police recovered a N10 million ransom paid to the kidnappers and later arrested two additional suspects.
This latest arrest has reignited public concerns over the growing suppression of free speech by security agencies, particularly under the leadership of Adejobi.
In December 2024, Adejobi stirred controversy when he declared that cursing government officials on social media amounted to a criminal offence, threatening Nigerians with legal action.
“Raining direct curses on someone online is cyberbullying, not an expression of freedom or criticism. And cyberbullying, which is different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided,” Adejobi posted at the time.
His repeated warnings and crackdowns have fueled accusations of police impunity, intimidation, and disregard for fundamental human rights. Critics argue that his “power-drunk” tendencies have turned him into a tool for silencing dissent rather than a public relations officer bridging the gap between the police and citizens.
The arrest of Charles Uche Ihedioha has sparked outrage, with many Nigerians and legal experts questioning the legality of arresting citizens for mere social media comments. Free speech advocates have called for his immediate release, arguing that the police are abusing their authority to settle personal scores.
As the backlash grows, it remains to be seen whether the Nigeria Police Force will bow to pressure or double down on its controversial clampdown on online speech.
Meanwhile, Adejobi has yet to respond to the widespread criticism over his latest actions.
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