By Desire Emmanuel
A corps member serving in Akure, Ondo State, Mariam Titilayo Ibrahim, on Wednesday, November 26, gave details of how she was arrested by the police and taken to the Force Headquarters over an Airtel SIM card she was using which was linked to a kidnapping and murder case.
She said this in a post on her social media handles after she regained her freedom following the intervention of activist, Omoyele Sowore.
She wrote: “My name is Mariam Titilayo Ibrahim, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Akure, Ondo State.
“On 16th October 2025, I was arrested by police officers from Abuja and taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Akure. My phones, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, an Itel device and my WiFi device were seized. I was then confronted with a list of phone numbers allegedly linked to a kidnapping and murder case from January 2024.
“The officers, led by Inspector Dauda Adamu of the Force Criminal Intelligence Department (FCID), Abuja, alleged that one of the numbers connected to my National Identification Number (NIN) was involved in the crime. However, I had purchased my Airtel SIM on 15th April 2025, a fact later confirmed by Airtel’s official records. Despite this evidence, I was threatened with being taken to Abuja and detained overnight in Akure.
“On 17th October 2025, Airtel officially confirmed that the disputed SIM was indeed bought and activated in April 2025, fully clearing me. Yet, the police still took my phones to Abuja and instructed me to report there.
“I informed my lawyer, Mr Tope Temokun, who immediately took up my case and wrote petitions to the Inspector General of Police and to Airtel Headquarters, seeking justice.
“I was later invited to Abuja, and I arrived late on Thursday. By Friday morning, I was at the FCID office with Mr Michael Effiwatt of Tope Temokun Chambers. Despite all efforts, my phones were still not released. I was asked to return on Monday for IG’s approval, even though I had no accommodation in Abuja. I waited until Monday, only to be kept there again until 5:00 p.m.
“However, everything changed when Mr. Omoyele Sowore arrived at FCID after being informed of my situation by my lawyer. His timely intervention led to the immediate release of my two phones, and I was finally allowed to go without further delay.
“I express my deep and heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Omoyele Sowore, whose presence brought an end to my ordeal. I also sincerely thank Mr Tope Temokun and the entire team at Tope Temokun Chambers, especially Mr Iretimide Osunyikanmi in the chambers’ Akure office, Mr Michael Effiwatt in the Abuja office and Miss Monica Ayuba, the chambers’ Abuja Administrative secretary, who showed selfless care and concern for me all through in Abuja.
“I’m back in Akure. I am so so grateful.”
