Comedian Zicsaloma Cries Out: I Want to Sell My Benz Because of Nigerian Police Harassment

Popular Nigerian skit maker and comedian, Aloma Isaac Junior, famously known as Zicsaloma, has taken to social media to express deep frustration over the incessant harassment he faces from police officers in Nigeria, saying he is seriously considering selling off his luxury Benz car just to have peace of mind. The comedian, who has built a massive following with his witty and relatable comedy skits, shocked his fans when he lamented bitterly that he was stopped five times in a single day by men of the Nigerian police who seemed to be more interested in the fact that he was driving a Benz than anything else.

In a strongly worded post that has since gone viral across different social media platforms, Zicsaloma questioned why the mere act of owning and driving a Benz should make him a constant target of harassment and intimidation. According to him, the police appear to have singled out Benz drivers as prime suspects of crime, particularly internet fraud, popularly known in Nigeria as “Yahoo Yahoo.” He noted with anger that he is a hardworking entertainer who has carved out a name for himself in the comedy and skit-making industry, but despite his fame, recognition, and legitimate career, the police never hesitate to stop him and search him whenever he is behind the wheel of his Benz.

His lamentation struck a chord with many Nigerians who flooded his comment section with their own stories and words of encouragement. For some, Zicsaloma’s plight is simply a reflection of what young Nigerians go through daily in the hands of security operatives. Stories abound of young men being profiled, searched, and sometimes arrested just for having dreadlocks, wearing stylish clothes, using an iPhone, or driving a flashy car. In Zicsaloma’s case, the attention has become unbearable because of his celebrity status and the brand of car he drives. He said the repeated stops in a single day left him emotionally drained and questioning whether it was worth keeping the car.

The comedian expressed that the car which was supposed to be a symbol of hard work and success has now become a burden, making him live in fear of police checkpoints. He pointed out that while many Nigerians dream of owning a Benz or other luxury cars as a mark of achievement, the reality is that such cars have become magnets for harassment in Nigeria. His decision to contemplate selling his car did not come from financial difficulty but rather from the constant mental stress that comes with the fear of being stopped, questioned, embarrassed, or even falsely accused.

His words have sparked widespread debates about police profiling in Nigeria, particularly the troubling trend of equating material success with criminality. Social media users quickly began to trend hashtags around the comedian’s statement, with many tagging the Nigerian Police Force to call attention to the matter. Some users pointed out that the EndSARS protest of 2020, which shook the entire nation, was fueled by this same culture of profiling and harassment of youths. According to them, it appears that little has changed since then, and celebrities like Zicsaloma are now openly voicing out what ordinary Nigerians suffer every day.

Reactions have poured in from both fans and fellow entertainers. While some advised him not to sell his car, arguing that it would mean the police have succeeded in bullying him into giving up his comfort and achievement, others sympathized with his plight and said it was a practical decision to prioritize peace of mind over luxury. A few fans even half-jokingly offered to buy the Benz from him, saying they were willing to “suffer” the harassment if only they could own such a car. But beyond the humor, the issue remains a deeply troubling reality for young Nigerians.

The Nigerian police, on their part, have often denied deliberately targeting or profiling young people, but several viral videos over the years have shown disturbing encounters where officers extort, intimidate, or brutalize citizens under the guise of searching for fraudsters. Zicsaloma’s revelation once again puts the spotlight on the urgent need for genuine reforms in the Nigerian policing system. His situation underscores how deeply ingrained the culture of suspicion has become, especially when it comes to youths who are successful or who portray a lifestyle that the police quickly associate with crime.

The comedian’s post has also raised questions about what it means to be young and successful in Nigeria today. For many hardworking youths, the fear of being profiled overshadows the joy of their achievements. A luxury car, instead of bringing pride, becomes a liability on the road. The constant anxiety that comes with every police checkpoint strips away the sense of accomplishment. For someone like Zicsaloma, who has risen from humble beginnings to become a household name in comedy, the idea of not being able to enjoy the fruits of his labor without harassment is heartbreaking.

Observers say his outcry is not just about himself but about the thousands of faceless young Nigerians who endure similar or even worse treatment daily. Some have been victims of extortion where they are forced to transfer money to officers before being let go, others have had their phones searched unlawfully, while some cases have ended in tragedy with lives lost to police brutality. His story has therefore reignited calls for accountability and training within the force, with many insisting that police officers must be educated to stop equating youthful success with fraud.

As Zicsaloma continues to mull over whether to part ways with his beloved Benz, his fans are divided. Some want him to make a strong statement by keeping the car and insisting on his right to drive freely as a law-abiding citizen. Others feel he should take the stress off his shoulders and simply downgrade to a less flashy car that will attract less attention from police checkpoints. Whichever way he chooses, the larger conversation remains: why should a young man be pushed into such a difficult decision in the first place?

For now, the comedian has not confirmed if he has found a buyer or if he has made up his mind, but his words have already made a lasting impact in public discourse. The fact that a successful entertainer with millions of fans is considering giving up his car because of police harassment speaks volumes about the lived reality of countless Nigerians on the road daily. It is a reminder that for many in Nigeria, luxury is not just expensive because of the cost of the item, but also because of the mental and physical toll that comes with it.

Zicsaloma’s cry is a call to action, a painful reminder of the need to end profiling once and for all, and an emotional story that blends humor, frustration, and truth. In a nation where resilience is second nature, his voice joins the growing chorus demanding that success should never be treated as a crime.