Lagos State has recorded a fresh wave of rape and sexual assault allegations, with authorities intensifying efforts to locate survivors and pursue investigations as public outrage heightens across social media.
The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) on Tuesday confirmed it is actively seeking to reach a TikTok user, Mirabel (@mirab351), who alleged in a viral video that she was raped in her apartment by a stranger. The agency appealed to the public for credible information that could help it provide immediate support and intervention.
The development comes amid renewed scrutiny of sexual violence in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, following multiple reports shared online within days of each other, as gathered by ENigeria Newspaper.
Hashtags demanding accountability and stronger protections for women trended across X, amplifying calls for swift law enforcement action.
In its statement, DSVA said it had “taken note of the multiple tags and public concerns” surrounding the circulating video and stressed that sexual assault cases are treated with “utmost confidentiality and urgency.” The agency reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to ensuring survivors receive protection, care and justice.
The survivor at the centre of the latest case alleged that the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday after she opened her apartment door, believing it was a neighbour. She claimed she was overpowered, lost consciousness and later discovered she had been assaulted and injured. Screenshots of messages purportedly sent by the suspect, who allegedly boasted about evading justice, further fuelled public anger online.
In a subsequent video, the young woman disclosed that she attempted suicide but was rushed to hospital by a friend. She said she was too distressed to respond to messages and would speak further when she recovered.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the matter has been referred to its Gender Unit. Police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi said efforts were underway to establish contact with the complainant to facilitate a thorough investigation.
The case follows closely on another allegation shared by TikTok user Fems (@femsbaby_x), who reported being raped alongside a friend after a modelling engagement. She later stated that her case was receiving attention from the police Gender Unit after initial challenges in filing a report. Legal support was reportedly facilitated by Barr. Dami Marshall, daughter of Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall.
Advocacy groups say the clustering of cases in public discourse reflects both the prevalence of sexual violence and a growing willingness among survivors to speak out online when formal reporting channels appear slow or inaccessible.
DSVA urged anyone with useful information about the latest case to reach out through its official communication channels, reiterating that sexual assault remains a criminal offence under Nigerian law and that perpetrators will be pursued once survivors are located and formal complaints filed.
ENigeria Newspaper note that while social media has become a critical tool for raising awareness, sustained institutional response and survivor protection remain central to curbing the trend as Lagos grapples with rising public concern over sexual violence.
