A disturbing video has gone viral on social media, showing a police officer allegedly extorting travelers along the Benin Bypass by demanding either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel in exchange for allowing them to pass, as reported by Punch.
The officer reportedly stopped the motorists for failing to provide an Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) document—a policy that had already been suspended in 2024.
The video, shared by X.com user Teniola (@Teeniiola), captured the moment the officer insisted on the payment. When the travellers questioned the legality of his request, the officer responded vaguely, stating, “You can make call now.” When pressed further on what he wanted, the officer bluntly replied, “We’ll go and buy [fuel], that’s 5k.”
The footage has reignited public frustration over persistent police extortion despite clear directives from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who in July 2024 suspended the enforcement of ECMR following public backlash.
“All these Policemen bringing shame to us, one by one, they will be sent out of the organisation. Maybe when they become jobless, they will go into content creation. This is embarrassing and the force is on it.”
The video has drawn widespread criticism and calls for disciplinary action, highlighting the ongoing struggle against police misconduct in Nigeria despite repeated reforms and public assurances.
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