A Nigerian computer engineering graduate, Oluwagorom Smyth Alasonye Nosike, has recounted a harrowing five-year imprisonment for crimes he insists he did not commit. He shared his story on Facebook, highlighting how a single night in 2019 changed the course of his life.
After relocating to Lagos in 2019, Nosike moved in with a former schoolmate from Imo State University, where he earned his degree in Computer Engineering. Life appeared normal, and nothing seemed amiss until a sudden police raid disrupted everything.
Midnight Police Raid
According to Nosike, around 1 a.m., operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his residence at Aja Success Close in Lagos. Officers reportedly ordered all occupants to lie down before taking them into custody.
At a SARS facility, Nosike learned that his housemate, Ifeanyi, and two others were suspected armed robbers. The police had traced a stolen mobile phone to their residence, which prompted the arrest of everyone living there.
“I did not steal. I did not rob. I knew nothing about any operation,” he wrote, insisting he was unaware of his housemates’ criminal activities.
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Following the arrest, Nosike was charged alongside the suspects and remanded in prison from March 2020. Court proceedings began about eight months after his arraignment, but he remained in custody for years.
Eventually, he regained his freedom on January 25, 2026, after five years of detention for an offence he maintains he did not commit.
Warning to Young Nigerians
In his post, he urged young Nigerians to exercise caution about the people they live with or trust. Misplaced trust, he stressed, can have devastating consequences.
“Street no dey pity anybody. System no dey care,” he wrote, advising others to “shine your eye” and protect themselves.
The post went viral on social media, attracting sympathy and encouragement. One comment read: “A living dog is better than a dead lion. Believe in yourself; God will multiply your blessings.”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
