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A Lagos-based plumber, Nifemi Oyerinde, has accused some officers of the Nigeria Police Force of allegedly extorting N70,000 from him at gunpoint during a stop-and-search operation around the Otedola Bridge area of Lagos State.
Oyerinde narrated the incident to Punch on Sunday, stating that the alleged extortion occurred on Saturday while he was in an Uber vehicle heading towards CMD Road from the Otedola Bridge axis.
According to him, the armed police officers flagged down the Uber vehicle and ordered him to step out with his bag. He said the officers searched his belongings after placing his bag on their patrol vehicle.
“There was nothing inside my bag except my clothes, charger, and perfume,” Oyerinde said.
Despite finding nothing incriminating, the plumber alleged that the officers demanded to know his occupation. After telling them he was a plumber, they reportedly seized his phone and instructed him to call someone who could verify his claim.
He explained that he contacted his employer, who confirmed that he was indeed a plumber and not involved in any fraudulent activity. However, the officers allegedly ignored the confirmation.
Oyerinde claimed the officers threatened to label him an internet fraudster and insisted on taking him to the police station unless he paid money.
“They asked me to bring N1 million or they would take me to the station,” he said. “When I told them I didn’t have that amount, they reduced it to N300,000 and later to N70,000.”
The plumber further alleged that out of fear, especially due to the firearms carried by the officers, he transferred N70,000 to one of them using his second phone before he was released.
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“Because of the gun they were holding, I had no choice. After the transfer, they returned my phone and even followed me back to the car,” he added.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Taofeek Adekunle, condemned the alleged action, describing it as another example of systemic abuse by law enforcement officers. He demanded the identification of the officers involved, a refund of the money, and prosecution of those responsible.
When contacted, the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed awareness of the case, stating that the Complaint Response Unit was handling the matter.
The incident has intensified public concerns over alleged police extortion at checkpoints across Lagos.
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