The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed that a 15-year-old boy was detained in connection with a missing wristwatch valued at $500, while denying allegations that officers demanded ₦100,000 bail at the Abagana Police Division.
The boy, an apprentice at a roadside tyre-repair shop in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area, said in a viral video that he spent five days in custody at Abagana Police Station, from Saturday, October 17, to Wednesday, October 21, 2026. He said the police did not beat him, but alleged that the man who accused him of stealing the watch assaulted him before taking him to the station.
The boy said the watch was brought to his shop in June, and that he placed it on a tyre, where it got lost.
The person who recorded the video questioned why the boy was not charged to court, though one is located nearby. The person also alleged that the boy’s employer was detained after going to bail him and was asked to pay ₦100,000.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga initially said he was unaware of the incident, but later said the Command had investigated. He said the complaint was reported on October 17 after a watch sent from abroad for the complainant’s uncle in Nawfia went missing.
According to Ikenga, the complainant’s brother mistakenly handed the watch to the boy at the wrong workshop. The boy later gave it to his master, Simon Tochukwu, who returned on October 20 and allegedly said he gave it back and told the boy to discard it, believing it was old. It was reportedly thrown into a pile of discarded tyres and has not been found.
Ikenga said the suspect was released and directed to return on October 23 for further clarification.
He rejected the ₦100,000 allegation as false, said the investigation continues, and urged the public to report misconduct through appropriate channels.
The case has raised questions about the treatment of minors in police custody.
