Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A routine raid aimed at evacuating vulnerable individuals from the streets took a troubling turn when enforcement officers mistakenly picked up a man who was not mentally unstable, grouping him with others during the operation. The incident, captured on video, has stirred outrage and raised serious concerns about profiling, due process, and the conduct of the enforcement team.
Witnesses said the man was going about his normal activities when officers swooped in, bundled him into their vehicle, and placed him alongside individuals living with mental health challenges. Realising the mistake, he became visibly distressed as he tried desperately to explain his situation.
In the now-viral footage, the man is heard pleading repeatedly:
“I am not mentally ill. I was just walking when you grabbed me. Please listen to me.”
With tears in his eyes and confusion on his face, he continued trying to convince the officers, expressing his shock at being treated like someone in need of mental health intervention.
“This is not fair. I don’t belong here. You didn’t even ask me anything,” he cried, drawing sympathy from onlookers.
Residents who witnessed the arrest described the scene as heartbreaking. One bystander said, “You could see the fear in his eyes. He kept trying to explain, but they didn’t give him the chance. It was painful to watch.”
Another eyewitness criticised the handling of the raid, saying, “These operations need to be done with proper identification and compassion. You cannot just grab anyone because they happen to be on the road.”
The incident has sparked discussions online about the need for better training, clearer guidelines, and more humane methods when officers engage with vulnerable populations or conduct public-space enforcement operations.
As of the time of this report, authorities have not yet issued a formal statement clarifying how the mistaken arrest occurred or whether the man has been released.
Public pressure continues to mount, with many calling for accountability and safeguards to prevent such traumatic errors in future operations.
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