In the early hours of this morning, disturbing reports began circulating social media about the detainment and harassment of Marlian Music singers, Zinoleesky and Mohbad. In a series of clips shared on Twitter, National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officers are seen grappling with the artists and their friends in an attempt to get them into their vehicles. This is not the first time that clips of this manner have made the rounds on our social media timelines, as late-night run-ins with law enforcement officials who barge into the private lodgings of Nigerians are common–and worse, expected.

Videos of NDLEA officials harassing members of the Marlian Music including Mohbad & Zinoleesky and their friends surface 💔

Over 10 people are reported to have been arrested pic.twitter.com/qF0xG250nG

— TurnTable Charts (TTC) (@TurntableCharts) February 24, 2022

In the now viral clip, the artists were also seen demanding for a warrant for their eventual detainment, however, it is unclear whether this request was honoured by the officers. According to reports from Punch Newspaper, the Marlian Music singers were arrested alongside four others on several alleged charges. Among this includes the possession of an unknown quality of cannabis and molly.

According to the NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, a number of illegal drugs were recovered by the operatives, “Our men raided an area in Idado estate where Bịara Market boys stay. Some quantities of Cannabis sativa and Molly were recovered from their apartment and car.”

This has sparked public outrage about Nigeria’s pathological problem with unlawful arrests and police brutality and marks the second celebrity arrest in the past few months. Months back, a popular skit maker who goes by the moniker De General was arrested for the possession of cannabis. However, a high court ruled that the quantity of cannabis found in his possession was too small for a conviction and he was subsequently set free.

UPDATE – 25.02.2022

According to label boss, Naira Marley, Moh Bad has been released from NDLEA detention after he was physically assualted by the officers whose care he was entrusted in. In a series of tweets shared in the early hours of this morning, Naira Marley also informs the public that there is still no official warrant and four people remain in detention, including Zinoleesky, under extreme pressure and stress.

This is a developing story.