The Lagos State Police Command has detained three officers accused of extorting ₦150,000 from a 21-year-old writer, Ramadan Adenola, during a stop-and-search operation.
Police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the money had been recovered and the officers were immediately taken into custody after the incident was brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Moshood Jimoh.
“The officers involved have been identified, and the Commissioner of Police directed an immediate investigation. The money has been recovered, and the victim has been contacted to collect it. The CP also ordered the transfer of the officers to the Command headquarters, where they will face disciplinary proceedings at the Provost Unit,” Hundeyin stated.
Adenola had shared his ordeal on social media, detailing how he and a colleague were stopped by policemen under the Otedola Bridge while heading to Berger in a ride-hailing vehicle. Despite a thorough search of their belongings, phones, and bodies, nothing incriminating was found. However, the officers allegedly forced them into the vehicle and took them to Isheri Police Station, where they were detained for about two hours before being coerced into withdrawing the money from a Point of Sale (POS) merchant.
Recounting his experience, Adenola said, “At the station, one officer seemed particularly interested in my phone. If you know me, you know I do one thing—writing and content creation. That’s exactly what I told him. Then his eyes fell on my Binance app, which he called ‘incriminating evidence.’”
He alleged that the officers initially demanded ₦2 million for their release but eventually agreed to ₦150,000 after negotiations. The officers reportedly checked his cryptocurrency wallets and pressured him to pay more after finding additional funds.
“They made me walk across the street to withdraw cash and hand it to them,” he said. “What was supposed to be a 20-minute ride turned into a two-hour extortion session.”
The Lagos State Police Command has assured that the officers will face disciplinary action, emphasizing its commitment to accountability and justice.