LAGOS, Nigeria — Public outrage has erupted in Lagos following the tragic death of a 17-year-old boy, Bidemi, who reportedly fell into a canal while fleeing from police officers allegedly engaged in an act of brutality.
The incident, which occurred on October 17 at the Federal Bus Stop in the Ipaja-Ayobo area of the state, has reignited calls for police reforms, coming just days before the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.
According to sources on social media and eyewitness accounts, Bidemi was stopped by plainclothes officers who accused him of being a “Yahoo boy,” a term used locally to describe online fraudsters based solely on his tattoos.
Despite his pleas and insistence that he was not involved in fraudulent activities, the officers allegedly brutalised him, cocked their weapons, and chased him.
In a desperate attempt to escape, Bidemi ran toward a nearby canal, where he tragically fell.
His body was recovered and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe head injuries and placed on oxygen.
Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Friday, October 18.
Eyewitnesses at the scene claimed that after Bidemi fell into the canal, the police officers fled, allegedly taking his money and shoes with them, even as alarmed bystanders began to raise concerns.
“People were shouting, and that’s when the officers took off,” said an unnamed witness, recounting the chaotic moments after Bidemi’s fall.
Two officers involved in the incident have reportedly been identified and detained at the Area M police division in Idimu, according to sources.
However, efforts to obtain an official statement from the Lagos Police Command regarding the incident have so far been unsuccessful.
The incident, which closely mirrors the kind of police brutality that ignited the #EndSARS movement in 2020, has sparked fresh anger among Nigerians, with many taking to social media to express their frustration.
The hashtag #JusticeForBidemi has been widely shared as citizens demand accountability for the actions of the officers involved.
“Another innocent life lost to police brutality. When will it end?” wrote one Twitter user. “We need justice for Bidemi and every young person terrorized by those meant to protect us.”
The timing of the tragedy, just days before the anniversary of the nationwide protests against police brutality in 2020, has further fueled calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigerian police force.
During the #EndSARS protests, thousands of Nigerians took to the streets to demand the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit and broader reforms within the law enforcement system.
The protests were eventually met with a violent crackdown, leading to multiple deaths and injuries, notably during the controversial events at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 20, 2020.
Since then, calls for police reform have persisted, with the current incident adding renewed urgency to the public’s demands.
As investigations into Bidemi’s death continue, Nigerians are awaiting both justice for the teen and a concrete response from authorities.
A Growing Call for Reform
In the wake of Bidemi’s death, activists and citizens alike have renewed calls for sweeping changes within the Nigerian police force.
Civil rights organizations have long argued that without systemic reform, incidents of extrajudicial actions by police will continue unabated.
While the Lagos Police Command has yet to state the circumstances of Bidemi’s death, the incident has already begun to galvanize voices in the ongoing movement for justice and police reform in Nigeria.
For now, Bidemi’s family and supporters across the country are left to mourn the tragic loss of another young life, as demands for accountability and change echo louder than ever.
