What started as a viral clip of influencer Mandykiss taking arrest matters into her own hands escalated into real consequences for the Niger...
What started as a viral clip of influencer Mandykiss taking arrest matters into her own hands escalated into real consequences for the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo. The state’s Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, stepped in and redeployed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the centre of the drama — the moment underscoring how social-media stunts can collide with serious professional and legal lines. Think of influencers pushing boundaries — like when Ghana’s Shatta Wale stirred controversy in clubs and ended up in politics — here it’s a content creator ushering in police discipline.
In a dramatic turn of events, the Ondo State Police Command has ordered the immediate redeployment of the DPO of the Enu-Owa Division in Ondo West Local Government Area after a viral video showed social‐media influencer Mandykiss apparently conducting an arrest on her own.
The incident
The video that caused the uproar showed Mandykiss (real name Adefolarin Ayomiposi) travelling from Lagos into Ondo State to confront a mother, Mrs. Sabitu Akinwole, and her daughter, Oyindamola Akinwole — she accused them of trolling her online.
In the footage, the influencer is seen driving the mother-and-daughter duo into the Enu-Owa police station. Once inside, she took photos of the pair in custody and posted them on her social platforms — all without a visible official police escort.
Police reaction
CP Adebowale Lawal described the influencer’s action and the DPO’s lax response as “unprofessional conduct” and a serious breach of procedure.
His statement emphasised the importance of upholding presumption of innocence, proper custody procedures and the prohibition on photographing or filming suspects without authorization. The DPO’s redeployment is the immediate disciplinary step the command took.
Why this matters
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Rights & procedure: By allowing a civilian influencer to lead or oversee an “arrest”, the line between citizen rights and policing has blurred. The fact that Mandykiss posted the event raises privacy, dignity and due-process concerns.
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Influencer power: This case highlights how social-media personalities are exercising influence beyond content creation — entering realms of law enforcement, intentionally or not. Case in point: when Nigerian influencer Hilda Baci campaigned for food-security reform, it stirred political discussion beyond her cooking videos.
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Institutional integrity: The police command’s swift action underlines a commitment to maintain public trust. If left unchecked, such actions risk undermining the integrity of the police and the fairness of legal processes.
The reaction
The viral uproar was immediate, with many Nigerians condemning both the influencer and the handling by the police. Some argued the duo might have been vigilantising rather than being prosecuted, while others said the state’s police should never allow such public spectacle.
The command stated that investigations are ongoing and that sanctions will not stop with the redeployment — indicating possible further disciplinary measures.
The police say they’ll reinforce training on suspect handling, proper conduct and transparency. Meanwhile, members of the public will be watching: will Mandykiss face any charges for her role? Will the mother and daughter seek legal redress? Will the police publish a full report?
As with previous high-profile influencer episodes (recall when South African DJ Zinhle’s public confrontation made headlines), accountability and follow-through remain critical.
Conclusion
This isn’t just influencer drama—it’s a test for policing, rights and social media accountability in Nigeria. When an online personality crosses into real-world enforcement, chatroom comments turn into legal weight. For the DPO in Ondo, the redeployment marks the first domino. For Mandykiss, the spotlight grows darker. For all of us, it’s a reminder: online stunts can have offline consequences. Expect more clarifications, maybe even litigation—but the rulebook of rights just got spotlighted.