Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has condemned the Nigeria Police Force, calling them “a shameless willing tool of oppression.”
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Yesufu made this scathing remark during a confrontation with officers at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The incident occurred when suspended senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to enter the complex alongside supporters and activists, including Yesufu.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was controversially suspended for six months by the Senate on March 6, 2025, was denied entry into the building by security operatives.
Yesufu, a prominent voice in civil rights advocacy and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, sharply criticised the police for blocking citizens and even elected officials from accessing the complex.
She accused the officers of undermining democracy and siding with oppressive forces to deny Nigerians their constitutional rights.
Speaking directly to the officers, Yesufu said, “One day, you will be on the streets as a retired person, begging the same people you oppressed to protest on your behalf.”
She questioned whether the officers were proud of their role, asking, “At this age, is this what you want to be doing? Is this the Nigeria you want for your children? You’re destroying the future of your own children.”
The activist further stated that the police had no courage to reveal who gave them the order to obstruct access.
She expressed frustration over their silence and perceived complicity, saying, “You are blocking people and can’t even say who sent you. Are you proud of that?”
Yesufu insisted that the National Assembly belongs to all Nigerians and should never be turned into a fortress where dissent and democratic participation are suppressed.
She warned the police against forgetting their own humanity and the consequences of blindly following unjust orders.
“Yes, we respect the law,” she added, “but that does not mean we are cowards.”
Her comments have sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many Nigerians praising her bravery and condemning the actions of the police.
Critics of the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan have described the move as politically motivated and anti-democratic.
Supporters argue that barring a senator from entering the National Assembly violates her mandate and the will of the people who elected her.
The Nigerian Police Force is yet to release an official statement responding to Yesufu’s comments or the public backlash.
Meanwhile, activists and civil society groups have vowed to continue protesting what they describe as the weaponisation of state institutions to silence dissent and punish vocal lawmakers.
This latest clash reflects growing tensions between the Nigerian state and pro-democracy voices calling for transparency, justice, and accountability.
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