BamBam Calls Out Nigerian Police Over Harassment and Extortion

Former Big Brother Naija star Bamike Olawunmi, popularly known as BamBam, has expressed her frustration with the Nigerian police, recounting an unsettling encounter on Twitter.

According to her, after finishing a movie shoot and heading home, her vehicle was stopped by officers without any reason. She and her assistant were forced to step out, only for the officers to start begging for money.

“Just wrapped up from a movie set, heading home, and Nigerian police stopped us for no reason—forced us to step down only to start begging for money. What kind of nonsense is this? If we refused, what would they have done?” she tweeted.

BamBam further described the officer’s behavior as “inappropriate and forceful.” Despite greeting him politely and explaining that she was tired, he insisted she “show me love now.” She noted that he could have made the request from the car window, but instead, she and her assistant were already out of the vehicle and unable to leave, leaving her feeling pressured to give him money.

She also expressed her disappointment in how the police operate, stating:

“We shouldn’t see the police and feel uncomfortable but safe. Asking and demanding are two different things. Feeling entitled to your money and tipping because they were respectful and actually doing their job are two different things.”

This isn’t the first time BamBam has spoken out about police misconduct. In June 2019, she revealed that her brother was harassed, slapped, and falsely accused of being an armed robber by police officers on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. She also claimed the officers threatened to shoot him.

BamBam’s latest experience highlights ongoing concerns about police extortion and harassment in Nigeria, fueling calls for reforms to restore public trust in law enforcement.