Family Petitions IGP Over N151.5M Extortion by Four Police Inspectors

Four Police Inspectors Accused of Kidnapping and Extortion of N151.5 Million from Diaspora Nigerian, Family Petitions IGP

A disturbing petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, has accused four officers of the Nigeria Police Force of kidnapping and extorting a staggering N151.5 million from a diaspora-based Nigerian, Mr. Segun Okubajo.

The petition, dated May 2, 2025, was submitted by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Yemi Oke, on behalf of the victim’s father, Mr. Okubajo Kehinde.

According to the petition, the four officers implicated in the alleged crime are Inspector Mohammed Yusuf (AP No. 229655), Inspector Ojochenemi Jubrin (AP No. 227141), Inspector Rizama Reuben (AP No. 318195), and Inspector Isokpuwu John (AP No. 318172).

These officers reportedly stormed Mr. Okubajo’s residence in Lagos on October 9, 2024, without a warrant or any documented complaint, and forcefully arrested him.

The petition alleges that the officers arrived heavily armed, forcefully entered Mr. Okubajo’s home, and immediately disconnected and disabled the CCTV surveillance systems. They confiscated his mobile phones and placed him in handcuffs and leg chains. He was allegedly taken incommunicado to Abuja, where he was held at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) under the Office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, located in Area 10, Garki.

Mr. Okubajo’s arrest, as outlined in the petition, was carried out without any formal accusation, criminal charge, or petition filed by any individual or institution. The legal team representing the family has described the arrest as arbitrary, unlawful, and a gross violation of human rights and due process.

Further investigations by the family revealed that the unlawful arrest and abduction were allegedly orchestrated by two individuals identified as Oladipo Ibrahim and Shedrach Luka.

These individuals are described in the petition as notorious police informants who specialize in falsely accusing diaspora Nigerians in order to facilitate their detention and extort large sums of money in collusion with corrupt police officers.

The petition details how the informants took advantage of Mr. Okubajo’s visit to Nigeria to concoct an imaginary allegation against him. Despite the lack of a formal complainant or documented offense, the officers proceeded to detain him and issued a demand for a ransom of one billion naira (N1,000,000,000) as a condition for his release.

Under extreme duress, fear for Mr. Okubajo’s safety, and sustained threats from the arresting officers, the family negotiated the ransom and was coerced into paying N151.5 million. This amount, the petition states, was raised through emergency loans, assistance from family friends, business associates, and cooperative societies.

Following the alleged extortion, Mr. Okubajo reportedly fled Nigeria and returned abroad due to ongoing threats to his life. Despite his relocation, the family continues to receive threatening messages from the officers, warning them against pursuing legal or public redress. These threats, according to the petition, are aimed at suppressing the incident and intimidating the victim and his family into silence.

Shockingly, the petition also reveals that the implicated officers allegedly claimed that a portion of the extorted money—half of the total sum—was funneled to a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, identified as Mr. Sylvester Abiodun Alabi. This claim raises additional concerns about possible systemic corruption and high-level complicity within the police force.

Although the family had submitted earlier petitions in November 2024, including one directly addressed to the IGP, no meaningful action has been taken, and the threats have reportedly continued.

This failure to act has prompted the latest, more detailed petition demanding an immediate and transparent investigation, restitution of the extorted funds, and disciplinary measures against the officers involved.

In the petition, Professor Oke, SAN, emphasized that the family’s intention is not to seek media attention or prematurely escalate the matter to international bodies. However, he warns that failure by the IGP’s office to act within fourteen (14) days will leave them with no choice but to pursue legal redress and expose the matter through local and international media. Additionally, legal actions will be initiated against the Police Service Commission, the Ministry of Police Affairs, and even the Presidency, if necessary.

The petition is accompanied by what the family claims to be compelling evidence, including video recordings, photographs, and other documentary materials substantiating their claims.

• The demands outlined in the petition are as follows: A full-scale, transparent investigation into the conduct of the four officers involved, as well as the alleged involvement of the retired DIG, Sylvester Abiodun Alabi.
• Immediate refund of N151,500,000.00, the amount extorted from Mr. Okubajo, within 14 days of receipt of the petition.
• Protective undertakings to be extracted from the accused officers to guarantee the safety of Mr. Okubajo and his family, and to prohibit any further intimidation or harassment.
• Appropriate disciplinary actions to be instituted by the Nigeria Police Force against the officers in question, in accordance with internal rules, ethical standards, and the laws governing police conduct in Nigeria.
• Public assurance from the leadership of the Police that such conduct is not tolerated, in line with the current administration’s stated policy of accountability and zero tolerance for corruption.

The petition concludes with an appeal to IGP Egbetokun to uphold the integrity of his office by acting swiftly and decisively in the interest of justice, human rights, and the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.