Lagos Police Officers Detained for Extorting Writer of ₦150,000

By James Ajibade//The Lagos State Police Command has detained three of its officers for allegedly extorting ₦150,000 from a writer, Ramadan Adenola. The officers, who conducted a stop-and-search operation under the Otedola Bridge, have been identified and are set to face disciplinary action.*

According to Adenola, his ordeal began when the policemen flagged down the vehicle he boarded while heading to Berger. The officers allegedly forced him to transfer ₦150,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) merchant at Isheri Police Station before releasing him.

“Eventually, we left. What was supposed to be a 20-minute ride turned into a 2-hour extortion session that ended with:

A free ride to the station for the officers;

₦150,000 stipend for a few weeks;

Even a gate fee to leave the place.

Was the police my friend in all this? No. They were my extorters,” Adenola lamented on his 𝕏 handle.

Reacting to the incident, the Lagos Police Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, had ordered an immediate investigation.

“The policemen were three in number and we have identified them. The Commissioner of Police gave a directive that the matter be investigated immediately it got to his attention,” Hundeyin stated.

Hundeyin further revealed that the extorted funds have been recovered from the officers and the victim has been contacted to reclaim his money. The three suspects have also been transferred to the Command headquarters to face disciplinary action at the Provost Unit.

This incident has once again raised concerns over police misconduct and the abuse of power by officers meant to protect citizens. Lagosians are calling for stricter measures to curb extortion within the police force.