Police query officers involved in extortion along Benin Bypass

The six police officers who were seen in a viral video extorting money from motorists and road users along the Benin Bypass have been brought before the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the spokesman of the Force, CP Adejobi Olumuyiwa.

Recall that one of the six officers was captured in the video asking for either N5,000 or five litres of fuel from motorists who did not have proof of an Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR).

The ECMR is a digital vehicle registration system in Nigeria, and the officer was exploiting its absence as a pretext to demand bribes.

The policeman, who was part of a team, turned a deaf ear even when a traveller informed him that the IGP had suspended the enforcement of ECMR registration for vehicle owners since July 2024.

The incident drew criticism on social media, with many Nigerians asking the police authorities to fish out and discipline the policemen involved.

While speaking on the development, the Adejobi said: “Following the circulation of a viral video showing acts of extortion by police officers along the Benin bypass, the Nigeria Police Force, in line with its zero-tolerance policy on extortion and unprofessional conduct, has taken immediate action.

“Upon their arrival at the Force Headquarters, the six erring officers, including their supervising officer, a Chief Superintendent of Police, were marched in to appear before the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D, NPM, who condemned their actions as shameful, distasteful, and utterly unacceptable. He further ordered the immediate commencement of disciplinary procedures against all six officers involved.

“Accordingly, the officers have been queried, while orderly room trials for the Inspectors implicated in the video have commenced.

“This reiterates the Force’s commitment to upholding professionalism, integrity and accountability. The public is assured that such misconduct will not be tolerated under any guise, and appropriate sanctions will be meted out in line with established disciplinary procedures.”