Three Lagos Policemen Detained for Extorting N150,000 From Traveller Over Binance App
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained three of its officers for allegedly extorting N150,000 from a 21-year-old traveller, Ramadan Adenola, during an unlawful stop-and-search operation under Otedola Bridge. The incident, which has drawn widespread condemnation, highlights ongoing concerns about police misconduct in Nigeria.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the officers involved have been identified, detained, and the extorted money recovered. Hundeyin stated that the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, ordered an immediate investigation and disciplinary action against the erring officers.
The victim, Adenola, recounted his ordeal to journalists, explaining how he and a colleague were stopped by the officers while riding in a Bolt vehicle en route to Berger. Despite thorough searches of their bags and phones yielding no incriminating evidence, the policemen took them to Isheri Police Station, where they were detained for about two hours.
Adenola revealed that the officers allegedly fabricated charges after spotting the Binance app on his phone, claiming it contained “incriminating evidence.” They initially demanded N2 million as a bribe, which the terrified young man 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.”
The victim, who was travelling to Ife after a business trip in Lagos, expressed further outrage at being charged an additional “gate fee” before being allowed to leave the police station. His experience mirrors numerous reports of police harassment and extortion that have plagued Nigeria’s law enforcement system.
CSP Hundeyin confirmed that the Commissioner of Police had directed the officers’ transfer to the Command Headquarters for disciplinary procedures at the Provost Unit. He assured the public that the recovered money would be returned to Adenola and emphasized the command’s commitment to professional conduct among its officers.
This incident comes amid growing public frustration with police misconduct, particularly the notorious “stop-and-search” operations that have become synonymous with extortion in many Nigerian cities. The Lagos State Police Command’s prompt response has been praised, but critics argue that systemic reforms are needed to address the root causes of such abuses.
Human rights organizations have called for comprehensive police reforms, including better training, improved welfare packages, and stricter accountability measures to curb such incidents. The case has also raised questions about the misuse of financial apps as pretexts for extortion, with many Nigerians expressing concerns about their digital privacy rights during police encounters.
As the investigation continues, the Lagos State Police Command has urged members of the public to report any misconduct by officers through official channels, promising that all legitimate complaints will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions taken.
