According to one of the family sources who spoke with SaharaReporters on Saturday, the detention stems from claims that Raphael and Fatia stole personal belongings belonging to another student named Victor. 

The families of two students of the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State, have raised the alarm over what they described as the unlawful detention of their loved ones by the police in Niger State. 

The students are identified as; Raphael Bolade, ND 1, Science Laboratory Technology, Department and one Fatia. 

SaharaReporters gathered that the students had been held in custody since Wednesday over disputed allegations of theft, sparking widespread concerns about police misconduct and violations of their fundamental rights.

According to one of the family sources who spoke with SaharaReporters on Saturday, the detention stems from claims that Raphael and Fatia stole personal belongings belonging to another student named Victor. 

However, the situation took a controversial turn after Victor initially cleared the two students of any wrongdoing. Despite this, Victor's father allegedly escalated the matter by involving the police after expressing dissatisfaction with the institution’s handling of the case.

“The sequence of events raises serious questions about the integrity of the investigation and the motivations behind the accusations,” the families said. 

“Victor had initially confirmed their innocence, yet his father bypassed school channels and involved law enforcement, resulting in the unjust detention of our children at the police station opposite the school's big gate.”

The families further allege that police officers involved in the case have displayed unprofessional conduct, refusing to communicate directly with the parents or guardians. 

Instead, an unauthorised intermediary has allegedly been used to negotiate a ₦150,000 bail and coerce the students into signing an agreement to compensate for Victor's allegedly missing belongings—including a laptop, jambox, power bank, and phone—valued at ₦600,000.

“We vehemently reject these demands,” the families stated. 

“Our children should not be forced to pay for items they did not steal, nor should they be subjected to coercion or extortion under the guise of law enforcement.”

Calling for justice, the families urged the management of the Federal Polytechnic Bida, the Niger State Police Command, and other relevant stakeholders to intervene.

They demand the immediate release of Raphael and Fatia pending a full, impartial investigation.

“This illegal detention must end now. We call on the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent probe to identify the actual perpetrators and safeguard the rights of innocent students pursuing their education.”