Tension as Nigerian Police Attack US Soldier, Mistaking Him for a ‘Yahoo Boy’
The encounter occurred outside Lime Lounge, a popular nightclub along Ring Road in Ibadan.
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Tension as Nigerian Police Attack US Soldier, Mistaking Him for a ‘Yahoo Boy’
A United States soldier of Nigerian descent, Dolapo (@MrNigerD on X), recounted being assaulted by officers of the Oyo State police command early today.
The encounter occurred outside Lime Lounge, a popular nightclub along Ring Road in Ibadan.
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Dolapo, who was in Nigeria on personal business, detailed the encounter on his social media, describing how a simple night out turned chaotic when police officers mistook him for a “Yahoo Boy” (internet fraudster).
“I had just finished clubbing and was about to get into my taxi when a police officer approached me with his weapon raised. I asked him to lower it so we could have a conversation, but instead, he shoved me aggressively,” Dolapo wrote.
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The altercation escalated when two additional officers joined in, one even firing a shot into the air. Dolapo, a trained soldier, defended himself but refrained from identifying as military personnel initially. “I wanted to handle it like any civilian, but they mistook my accent for a sign of vulnerability,” he explained.
The situation took a drastic turn when the officers resorted to pepper spray to subdue him. However, military intervention soon arrived in the form of Capt. Abdullah from the Nigerian Air Force, accompanied by three other servicemen.
Upon identifying himself as a U.S. soldier, the tone of the encounter shifted, with the police officers adopting a more conciliatory demeanor.
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“The military personnel calmed the situation and offered to escort me back to my hotel, but by that point, I was too upset to accept. They flagged down a taxi for me, and I left,” Dolapo shared.
The soldier expressed gratitude for the intervention but voiced strong criticism of the Nigerian police force, calling it “beyond reform.”
The incident has reignited debates about police misconduct and profiling in Nigeria, with many online echoing Dolapo’s frustrations. Critics argue that systemic reform is overdue, as such incidents undermine public trust and Nigeria’s image internationally.
The Oyo State police command has yet to release a statement addressing the incident. Calls for accountability and an investigation are growing louder, with advocacy groups demanding justice for Dolapo and others who may have faced similar treatment.
