The Kwara State Police Command has denied allegations that it unlawfully detained a minor in Arandun community, Irepodun Local Government Area, describing the claims as misleading.
Public reaction had been triggered by viral videos showing the girl at a police station, prompting protests from some residents over her arrest.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, clarified the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The command explained that the case stemmed from a reported incident of housebreaking and theft on April 30, in which a 19-year-old suspect, Timothy Aransiola, allegedly fled after committing the offence.
According to the police, the incident occurred on Thursday at the Arandun Police Division, where the suspect was accused of breaking
into a residence and stealing.
Investigations, however, led to the arrest of his 16-year-old sister, Esther Aransiola, who was alleged to have harboured him and assisted his escape.
“Subsequent intelligence revealed that the suspect was being harboured and assisted to evade arrest by one Esther Aransiola, ‘F’, 16 years, a sister of the suspect,” the statement read.
The police said she was cautioned, her statement was taken, and she was later released to her guardian on bond.
The command maintained that the minor was not unlawfully detained, contrary to claims circulating in the viral video, and described the narrative as inaccurate.
It urged the public to disregard unverified information capable of inciting tension, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.