Three policemen in Lagos have been detained for allegedly extorting N150,000 from a 21-year-old traveller, Ramadan Adenola. The victim was stopped by the officers during a routine search operation under the Otedola Bridge.
According to Adenola, he and a colleague were flagged down by the officers while riding in a Bolt vehicle.
Despite finding nothing incriminating after searching their bags and phones, the policemen took them to the Isheri Police Station, where they were held for about two hours.
The officers accused Adenola of having “incriminating evidence” after spotting the Binance app on his phone. They initially demanded N2 million as a bribe but eventually settled for N150,000. Adenola was forced to withdraw the money from a POS operator and hand it over to the officers.
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that the officers have been identified, detained, and the extorted money recovered. The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, has ordered an immediate investigation and disciplinary action against the erring officers.
The recovered money will be returned to the victim, and the officers will face disciplinary procedures at the Provost Unit.
