The Nigeria Police Force has identified and summoned officers involved in an extortion incident captured in a viral video, where a policeman in Benin City, Edo State, demanded ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel from motorists unable to present proof of Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) registration.
The footage, widely circulated on Monday, showed one officer insisting on ECMR documentation despite its suspended enforcement while negotiating either cash or fuel from visibly frustrated travellers. “We’ll go and buy it, that’s 5k,” one officer was heard saying, prompting a motorist to reply, “You want 5k from each of us?”
Reacting to the video, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi described the conduct as “utterly condemned” and confirmed on Tuesday that the officers had been summoned to the Force Headquarters. “We will not tolerate any act of indiscipline or unprofessionalism,” he said via X (formerly Twitter), adding that the public would be updated on the outcome.
The footage sparked widespread outrage and renewed public scrutiny over ongoing concerns of extortion and abuse by law enforcement officers. SP Edafe Bright, spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, also expressed dismay, stating on X: “Maybe when they become jobless, they will go into content creation. This is embarrassing.”
The controversy is tied to the previously suspended ECMR enforcement. In July 2024, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun halted the policy’s implementation after Nigerians criticised it as a tool for exploitation rather than a safety measure.
What you should know
The police officers’ demand for ECMR documents, despite a nationwide suspension, has drawn harsh criticism and intensified calls for internal reform.
The Force has promised disciplinary action, signaling a continued push to curb misconduct and rebuild public trust.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM VERILY NEWS
