The Anti-Cult Alliance Movement has accused operatives of Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force in Onikan, Lagos, of allegedly harassing and intimidating a nursing mother, Maryqueen Udoka, over a social media video in which she questioned the content of a children’s book.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Akin Okunowo, the group described the alleged actions of the police as an abuse of power, claiming officers acted in the interest of private individuals rather than as impartial law enforcement agents.
According to the group, the issue began when Udoka, a businesswoman and mother of two, assisted her five-year-old son with a school assignment and found a passage in a book she considered disturbing and lacking moral value. She later shared her concerns in a TikTok video on March 22, 2026, asking the public if she was overreacting.
The post reportedly drew widespread reactions online, but ACAM said it also triggered threats, with individuals allegedly calling and demanding she take down the video, including some who claimed to be police officers.
The group stated that Udoka eventually deleted the video and made her account private, but the threats persisted, with some allegedly advising her to leave the country for her safety. Fearing for her life, she reportedly went offline for weeks.
ACAM further alleged that the situation escalated when she received a police invitation on April 11 to report to Zone 2 Command for questioning over an unspecified investigation. When she was unable to appear immediately due to childcare responsibilities, the group claimed that police operatives stormed her residence and arrested neighbours and associates in an attempt to compel her appearance.
Describing the actions as intimidation and a violation of fundamental rights, the group questioned the basis of the investigation, arguing that the matter was being wrongly criminalised.
“What crime did she commit? Reading? Parenting? Asking questions?” the statement queried.
The organisation called on police authorities to withdraw the invitation, investigate the officers involved, ensure Udoka’s safety, and apologise to those allegedly detained in connection with the case.
It also urged relevant authorities to examine the content of the children’s book at the centre of the controversy, warning that failure to address the matter could further erode public trust in law enforcement.