Police free youth arrested for documenting alleged police brutality

Following public outcry, the police have released a Nigerian youth they arrested in Lagos.

Damilola Ominiji, who tweets via @Lifeblazedee, was arrested at Toyin Roundabout in Ikeja while filming the aftermath of an alleged incident of police brutality.

The police had, in a bid to arrest a lady, allegedly shot someone who was sitting in a car. That incident was said to have happened around 1am on Wednesday.

A mob later descended on a police post at Toyin Roundabout and set it ablaze. At about 7am, police reportedly arrested Ominiji when they saw him taking pictures and recording videos of the scene.

Ominiji was, however, released following a protest on Twitter with the hashtag #FreeBlazeDee.

Activist publisher and Revolution Now convener Omoyele Sowore was among those who condemned Ominijj’s arrest and demanded his unconditional release.

“Making video and taking pictures with my phone is not and never a crime as I told the police this morning when I was arrested at Toyin Roundabout,” the young man tweeted after regaining freedom.

“I’m freed. Thanks to @RevolutionNowNg for coming through for me. One love my people.”