A member of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Mr. Efosa Sulaiman Lawani, has been assaulted and detained by officers of the Nigeria Police Force while travelling through Edo State en route to Enugu.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, at a police checkpoint in Edo State.
According to associates and witnesses, Mr. Lawani was stopped and searched, after which officers allegedly discovered NAS-branded souvenirs in his possession.
It was learnt that the officers demanded money and, when he declined, the encounter escalated into physical assault and intimidation.
Lawani was travelling from Benin City to Enugu to attend the 2026 Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture, an annual NAS event held in honour of late veteran broadcaster and founding member of the association, Ralph Opara.
The lecture is scheduled to be delivered by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, SAN.
Sources close to Lawani said he sustained injuries during the alleged assault and remained in police custody as of the time of filing this report, prompting concerns from family members, colleagues and rights advocates over his physical condition, access to medical care and due process.
Lawani, a Benin City indigene and Lagos-based businessman, is described by associates as non-confrontational and actively involved in logistical support for NAS programmes nationwide.
They said he was conveying souvenirs intended for distribution at the memorial lecture.
The allegation has revived concerns over previous complaints of harassment involving NAS members in Edo State.
In 2025, members of the association reportedly accused officers of the Edo State Police Command of extortion during a separate encounter, an incident said to have been resolved following the intervention of the then Commissioner of Police, who allegedly ordered a refund of money recovered from the officers involved.
Civil society organisations and legal practitioners have called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the latest incident.
They urged the Edo State Police Command to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mr. Lawani’s detention, identify the officers involved and ensure the protection of his fundamental rights.
As of press time, the Edo State Police Command had not issued an official response.
