The Nigeria Police have summoned officers captured in a viral video extorting money from road users, following public outrage over the incident.
In a now widely circulated footage, a police officer was captured extorting motorists by demanding either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel for their failure to present proof of Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) registration.
The footage, shared on Sunday by an X user Teniola (@Teeniiola), showed the officer accosting a group of travellers along the Benin Bypass and insisting on seeing their ECMR documents.
Recall that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, had in 2024, suspended the enforcement of ECMR registration following widespread public backlash.
Many Nigerians had accused the police of exploiting the policy to extort vehicle owners.
In the trending video, one of the travellers was heard informing the officer that the enforcement of ECMR has been suspended and therefore illegal.
The officer, however, remained adamant, saying, “You can make the call now,” referring to the traveller’s suggestion to report the incident.
Responding to the public outcry, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a statement condemning the officers’ conduct, assuring Nigerians of swift disciplinary action.
“This action is totally condemned,” Adejobi wrote in a Facebook post on Monday night. “The officers have been identified and summoned to the Force Headquarters for necessary action.”
He emphasised that the police leadership would not tolerate misconduct in any form, adding, “We will not condone any act of indiscipline and unprofessionalism. We will update the public on our decisions as soon as possible. Thanks.”
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