The Lagos State Police Command has taken significant steps in response to allegations involving four of its officers accused of extorting N1 million from National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. This serious incident has raised concerns about police conduct and accountability within the state’s law enforcement.
The alarming details of the case emerged through a Twitter post by Olúyẹmí Fásípè, a user also known by the handle #YemieFash. In his post, Fásípè outlined a disturbing series of events that reportedly took place in Surulere, Lagos. He claimed that the corps members were confronted by the police officers, who allegedly threatened them and subsequently took them to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House, located at the Area C Police Command. Fásípè described the location as a place where the corps members were robbed, further exacerbating the gravity of the situation.
According to Fásípè’s account, the trouble began when one of the corps members was unable to present a hard copy of his driver’s license during a routine check. This lack of documentation reportedly led to aggressive behavior from the officers, who demanded a bribe. In a video that surfaced on social media, the driver can be seen interacting with one of the officers, who inquired about the missing license. The driver explained that he was in the process of renewing it, but did not have the renewal papers available in hard copy. This exchange escalated when a plainclothes officer was seen removing the vehicle’s number plate, leading to a heated confrontation.
Once the corps members were taken to the police station, they were reportedly ordered to refrain from using their mobile phones. They were informed that they would need to write statements regarding the incident, further compounding their distress. Adding to their humiliation, one officer made the dubious claim that wearing only the NYSC cap without the complete uniform constituted an offense of “impersonation.”
Fásípè’s tweet detailed the alarming nature of the officers’ conduct: “Dear #BenHundeyin, your officers today in Surulere extorted one million naira from three corps members. They were threatened with firearms, kidnapped, and taken to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House, Area C Police Command, where they were robbed. Their offense? Not having a physical copy of a driver’s license. This is evil!” His words resonated with many who viewed the situation as a blatant abuse of power.
He further alleged that the officer in plain clothes was the one who collected the extorted funds. To bolster his claims, Fásípè provided transaction receipts and a voice note from one of the victims, who described the ordeal and the officers’ threatening behavior. This evidence has become crucial in supporting the allegations against the police officers involved.
In a swift response to the public outcry, Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, addressed the allegations on Twitter. He stated: “The men have been summoned, and their trial has commenced. We urge the complainants to visit the Complaint Response Unit at the state headquarters to testify at the ongoing trial.” This acknowledgment marks an important step toward accountability, as it highlights the police’s willingness to investigate claims of misconduct among its ranks.
The reactions to the incident have been overwhelmingly negative, with many netizens expressing outrage at the behavior of the police officers. Calls for reform and greater oversight of law enforcement practices have intensified, reflecting a broader societal frustration with corruption and abuse of power within the police force.
As this situation unfolds, it serves as a critical reminder of the challenges facing the NYSC members and the broader public when it comes to interactions with law enforcement. The hope is that thorough investigations will lead to accountability for those involved and contribute to building trust between the police and the communities they serve.
