In Lagos, Nigeria, four policemen are facing trial for allegedly extorting one million Naira from three members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in an incident that has sparked widespread public outrage. The incident reportedly took place in Surulere, Lagos, and was brought to the attention of authorities and the public by activist Olúyẹmí Fásípè. According to his post on X (formerly Twitter), the officers allegedly detained, threatened, and coerced the corps members into paying the large sum of money under questionable circumstances.
According to the reports, the corps members were traveling through Surulere when they were stopped by the policemen. The officers claimed that the NYSC members were in violation of the law for not having a physical copy of their driver’s license. Despite explaining the situation, the corps members were allegedly threatened with firearms, and the officers reportedly kidnapped them, driving them to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House at the Area C Police Command in Surulere.
At the police station, the officers allegedly pressured the corps members to transfer the money or face more severe consequences. The young adults, reportedly in fear for their safety, were compelled to comply, transferring the amount of N1 million to the officers in an attempt to secure their release. Fásípè’s social media post included receipts that appear to verify the payment, which he shared online, gaining significant attention. The post quickly went viral, fueling public outrage over police misconduct and abuse of power in Nigeria.
The incident has intensified an ongoing dialogue in Nigeria about police reform and accountability. Many Nigerians expressed frustration and anger over the alleged incident, seeing it as another example of the persistent issues within the country’s law enforcement. Similar cases have been reported in recent years, with multiple accounts of officers engaging in extortion, bribery, and intimidation of civilians, often targeting vulnerable individuals who lack power or influence.
Social media platforms were filled with comments and retweets from users calling for justice, accountability, and structural reform within the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). The Lagos State Police Command acted swiftly in response to the uproar, and the case was taken up by its Complaint Response Unit, signaling a commitment to addressing the situation and potentially delivering justice.
Following the viral post, Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed that an internal disciplinary process had begun. Hundeyin announced that the officers involved were summoned to face an internal trial to determine their culpability. He urged the victims to come forward and provide testimonies and evidence to strengthen the investigation.
The internal trial represents the first step in determining whether the officers will face additional charges beyond the police force. If found guilty of the extortion allegations, the officers could be dismissed from the force, and formal criminal charges might be pursued. Hundeyin emphasized that the Lagos Police Command is dedicated to maintaining public trust and will act in accordance with the evidence presented in the case.
Cases like this are unfortunately not isolated incidents in Nigeria, where police corruption and abuse of power have been longstanding issues. In October 2020, Nigeria saw the #EndSARS movement gain international attention as people protested against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police Force known for violent abuses, extortion, and extrajudicial killings. The government disbanded SARS following the protests, but critics argue that little has changed in terms of reducing systemic abuses within the police force.
Many Nigerians have since called for a deeper restructuring of the police, seeking more effective oversight, accountability, and training. There are calls to implement policies that protect citizens from police abuses and ensure that officers operate within the bounds of the law. Furthermore, advocates have suggested implementing stricter disciplinary measures for officers who misuse their authority and establishing clearer pathways for the public to report police misconduct.
