The Nigeria Police Force has taken decisive action by summoning several of its officers who were caught in a viral video extorting money and fuel from motorists, in a move prompted by widespread public condemnation.
The incident, which has sparked national outrage, drew attention to the persistent issue of police misconduct and abuse of authority on Nigerian roads.
In the now widely circulated video, posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by user Teniola (@Teeniiola) on Sunday, a uniformed police officer was seen demanding ₦5,000 or five litres of petrol from a group of travellers along the Benin Bypass.
The reason for the extortion, as stated by the officer, was the travellers’ alleged failure to present documentation showing their registration with the Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR).
The confrontation, recorded and shared by one of the travellers, revealed that the officer insisted on seeing ECMR registration documents despite being reminded by the road users that the enforcement of ECMR compliance had been officially suspended.
One of the travellers explicitly informed the officer that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, had earlier suspended ECMR enforcement in 2024 due to significant public criticism and concerns that the policy was being exploited by law enforcement for financial gain.
This suspension followed weeks of public debate and outcry over what many Nigerians described as a new tool for extortion on the roads.
Unmoved by the clarification, the officer in the video reportedly responded with indifference, saying, “You can make the call now,” when one of the travellers suggested reporting the encounter to higher authorities.
This response further inflamed public anger, with many Nigerians expressing frustration at the blatant disregard for official directives and the lack of accountability among some members of the police force.
Reacting to the incident, the Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a formal statement on Monday night through his official Facebook page.
In the statement, he unequivocally condemned the actions of the officers involved, describing their behavior as unacceptable and contrary to the professional standards expected of police personnel.
“This action is totally condemned,” ACP Adejobi stated. “The officers have been identified and summoned to the Force Headquarters for necessary action.”
He assured the public that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to upholding professionalism, transparency, and accountability. Adejobi emphasized that misconduct in any form would not be tolerated by the current police leadership.
He further pledged that disciplinary measures would be taken promptly and that updates on the case would be shared with the public to maintain transparency. “We will not condone any act of indiscipline and unprofessionalism. We will update the public on our decisions as soon as possible. Thanks,” he concluded.
This development has once again highlighted the importance of ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force and the need for continuous oversight and enforcement of disciplinary standards. It also underscores the power of citizen journalism and social media in bringing issues of injustice and abuse to the forefront of national discourse.