Police officers assaulted, extorted N40,000 from traveler
A man has recounted his ordeal in the hands of some police officers in Kwara state, north-central Nigeria
In his series of tweets, the man, identified as Temitopeoluwa under the handle @TeezeyA_ said he was heading to a friend’s wedding when some mufti-wearing police operatives on stop and search stopped the commercial bus he was travelling in.
The victim alleged one of the officers demanded to check his phone, but he told him it was illegal to do so.
His protest reportedly angered the police officer as he landed him multiple slaps on the face. The victim and another passenger were whisked to the Oke Onigbin Police Division.
“I was slapped from behind and my phone fell off my hand,” he said.
“I was asked for my password. I told them I can’t (give it) ‘cos it’s private.
“I got another slap and before I knew it, they took me and another guy from that spot to NPF Oke Onigbin station,” he recounted.
The victim said the police officers detained him for several hours before demanding a bribe of N200, 000 for his release.
He claimed to have “begged” the unidentified police officers to collect N40,000, which was all he had on him.
“They collected it (the money) and are just releasing me since 9am. It’s 3pm now,” he said.
The victim gave the registration number of the police patrol vehicle the officers drove as NPF 558 OD.
“The name of the officer that detained me INSPECTOR ALEX; the name of the officer that released me INSPECTOR AJAYI,” he stated.
In his reaction, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi said he had acted on the victim’s complaint.
“I have asked the PPRO Kwara to fish them out, and they must come to see me in Abuja,” he said, promising the victim would get justice.
I have asked the PPRO Kwara to fish them out, and they must come to see me in abuja. So that we can be in my office together for some weeks. Ne calm, as u will get justice. Cheers. https://t.co/4mKxbBtGWJ
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) May 14, 2022
The Nigeria Police Force has warned operatives against appearing in mufti while on duty.
The Force has equally declared the checking of mobile phones by police officers as an illegal act.
