Sabitlenmiş Tweet
A Cry for Justice: My Trauma
tic Experience with Alleged Police Extortion in Edo State
This evening, I was robbed of my hard-earned money in an experience that has left me deeply traumatized.
I had always heard stories of policemen allegedly extorting innocent young people, but I never believed I would one day become a victim myself.
I work in the education sector, helping students register for JAMB and WAEC examinations, and I also teach O'Level and Advanced Level classes online. Earlier today, I accompanied a child to the University of Benin (UNIBEN), where I registered a candidate for the WAEC GCE examination.
On our way back, when we got to the Sapele Road Bypass checkpoint, some policemen stopped our commercial bus and ordered passengers to come down. They began searching a young boy who looked to be no more than 16 years old. While searching him, they profiled him as a fraudster and called him several insulting names.
Unable to watch an innocent child being treated that way, I stepped out of the bus and politely asked why they were calling him such names. Instead of answering my question, the officers turned on me. They bundled me into an unmarked police van that appeared to be used for illegal operations around the Sapele Road Bypass. Several other young men from different buses were also forced into the vehicle.
Inside the van, we were told to "negotiate" for our freedom. I watched as different people allegedly paid amounts ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 and more. I refused because I had committed no crime and had nothing illegal on me.
We were then taken to the State CID Headquarters in Benin City, where I was again asked to negotiate. I refused and told them I wanted to speak to a lawyer. The moment they heard the word "lawyer," they became aggressive. They allegedly threatened to kill me, throw my body to pigs, and even said they could execute me and label me a criminal. Despite these threats, I stood my ground and insisted on my constitutional rights.
The officers then wrote false allegations and untrue statements against me before taking me elsewhere and demanding money again. As it was getting late and I desperately needed to return home safely, I eventually asked how much they wanted. They demanded ₦100,000 as "bail."
I explained that I did not have that amount and was already owing people. They instructed me to start calling friends for money. I contacted one of my close friends, Mr. Idahosa, who kindly sent me ₦50,000.
When I attempted to transfer the money directly to one of the officers, I was slapped and ordered instead to send the money to a POS operator who appeared to be stationed there specifically to collect money from victims. I transferred the ₦50,000 to the account they provided, and they also collected the cash I had on me before releasing me.
I am deeply traumatized by this experience. No innocent Nigerian should have to endure intimidation, threats, false accusations, and extortion from those sworn to protect lives and property.
I respectfully call on the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, the media, civil society organizations, and all relevant authorities to investigate the alleged extortion and abuse taking place at the State CID, Edo State Police Command.
If innocent citizens remain silent, this injustice will continue. I am speaking out because I do not want others to go through the same painful experience.
Justice must prevail.
@PoliceNG @PoliceNG_CRU
@EdoPoliceNG
They police officers don't normally use their account... please look into this...na my salary them collect so
@Omiragua_Teejay
@Urhobo_Mudiaga
@AkposJim @arojinle1
@aproko_doctor
@Wizarab10
@Brightgoldenboy
@TheBeninBlogger
@edo_tribe
English
