Three Policemen Detained In Lagos For Extorting N150,000 From Traveller Who Had Binance App On Phone
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, stating that the officers had been identified, detained, and the extorted money recovered
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three of its officers for allegedly extorting N150,000 from a 21-year-old traveller, Ramadan Adenola, during a stop-and-search operation under the Otedola Bridge.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, stating that the officers had been identified, detained, and the extorted money recovered.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, ordered an immediate investigation and disciplinary action against the erring officers.
However, Adenola narrated how he and a colleague were flagged down by the officers while riding in a Bolt vehicle heading to Berger.
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.
According to Adenola, the officers accused him of having “incriminating evidence” after spotting the Binance app on his phone. They then demanded N2million as a bribe, which he negotiated down to N150,000.
“They made me walk across the street to withdraw the money from a POS operator and hand it to them,” Adenola lamented. “What was supposed to be a 20-minute ride turned into a two-hour extortion session.”
Adenola, who was travelling to Ife after a business trip in Lagos, expressed frustration over the incident, stating that the officers not only extorted him but also charged a “gate fee” before allowing him to leave the station.
Hundeyin stated that the Commissioner of Police had directed the officers’ transfer to the Command Headquarters for disciplinary procedures at the Provost Unit.
He also confirmed that the recovered money would be returned to the victim.
