Publication

In recent times, police extortion has taken a different dimension. Cases of police armed robbery have become rampant. On May 31, a lawyer whose X(Twitter) handle is  @The_Barr_OluT  narrated her ugly experience with men of the Nigeria Police Force wherein she claimed they extorted the sum of One hundred and seventy-six thousand naira (N176,000) from her while she was on her way to work. According to her, they were unidentified police officers wearing civilian clothes. Similarly, some men of the force extorted $3,000 from two persons in Rivers State at gunpoint, as it was reported by Punch.

Another case is that of a young man named Jay Trafford, who narrated how men in police Jackets who drove in a Sienna car ambushed him at about 9:30 pm on June 20 under the guise of a stop and search. Before he was released, the sum of 2.8 million naira was extorted from him while accusing him of being a cultist. According to Nairaland, Trafford was threatened and forced to make several transfers.

Police extortion of any form should be considered a serious violation of human rights and a breach of public trust. This form of violation ought not to be treated with levity as it undermines the rule of law and promotes crime. When the lawful enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property becomes a criminal syndicate, it, therefore, means there is chaos.

The acts described above are beyond extortion. They should, in fact, be considered armed robbery. Officers found guilty should not only be dismissed by the Police Force but also tried for the offense of armed robbery.

Every police officer on duty ought to be identifiable by their name and badge number. Where police officers are found violating this code of conduct, they should be dealt with. Critical times require critical measures! it is necessary for the Inspector-General of Police to address this menace.