A fresh allegation of police extortion has again cast a dark shadow over the Nigeria Police Force after a Nigerian returnee from the Benin Republic accused officers in Oyo State of allegedly terrorising and extorting him of N203,000 during a routine journey home for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The victim, Adeolu Saheed Taiwo, an indigene of Osogbo residing in Cotonou, Benin Republic, said he was allegedly forced to part with the money after being intimidated by armed policemen at the Iwo Road axis of Ibadan on Sunday morning.
Taiwo said he was driving his grey Toyota Corolla with Benin Republic registration number BU 1079 RB to Osogbo to celebrate the festive period with his family when the incident occurred.
According to him, trouble started after he mistakenly missed his route while trying to navigate a bridge around Iwo Road due to unfamiliarity with the area.
He explained that while attempting to reverse and reconnect to the correct road beneath the bridge, police officers stationed at the junction descended on him aggressively.
Rather than assisting a confused motorist, the officers allegedly turned the situation into what Taiwo described as a coordinated extortion operation, threatening and intimidating him until he succumbed to their demands.
The returnee alleged that the policemen exploited the fear and distrust many Nigerians already have toward security operatives, warning him and mounting pressure on him until he transferred N203,000 before he was allowed to continue his journey.
According to details provided by him, the money was paid into a Moniepoint Microfinance Bank account bearing the name Banke Rodah Ogundijo with account number 5059164825.
Speaking with our correspondent, Taiwo condemned what he described as the criminalisation of policing in Nigeria, lamenting that some officers who are expected to protect citizens have allegedly become predators on the highways.
“It is painful that policemen who are supposed to uphold the law now behave like organised extortionists targeting innocent travellers,” he said.
He added that the incident reflects the growing frustration among Nigerians in the diaspora who fear returning home because of incessant harassment, intimidation and alleged extortion by security personnel.
Taiwo called on the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, to urgently investigate the incident and ensure that the officers involved are identified and prosecuted.
He warned that continued unchecked misconduct by rogue officers could further damage the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force and discourage genuine investors and Nigerians abroad from returning home.
“Their behaviour was no different from bandits operating on the roadside and holding innocent people hostage for money,” he alleged.
