POLICE OFFICERS CAUGHT ON VIDEO DEMANDING N5,000 OR FUEL FROM TRAVELLERS IN BENIN, SUMMONED TO FORCE HEADQUARTERS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A viral video showing police officers in Benin City, Edo State, demanding either N5,000 or five litres of fuel from travellers over the Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) registration has sparked outrage across the country.

The footage, which circulated widely on Monday, captured an officer insisting on ECMR documentation, despite the suspension of its enforcement and demanding bribes from motorists who failed to present it.

One traveller is heard questioning the demand: “What do you want us to do?” to which the officer replied, “We’ll go and buy it, that’s 5k.” Another motorist was told to “bring three litres of fuel” as an alternative to cash.

In swift reaction, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, condemned the act and announced that the officers involved had been identified and summoned to Force Headquarters for disciplinary action.

“This action is utterly condemned. The officers have been identified and summoned to Force Headquarters for necessary action. We will not tolerate any act of indiscipline or unprofessionalism. We will update the public on our decisions as soon as possible,” Adejobi stated via X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.

Joining the condemnation, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Edafe Bright, expressed his frustration on social media, saying: “All these policemen bringing shame to us one by one, they will be sent out of the organisation. Maybe when they become jobless, they will go into content creation. This is embarrassing, and the force is on it.”

The video has renewed public criticism of alleged extortion and misconduct by law enforcement personnel, particularly surrounding the ECMR policy. The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had suspended ECMR enforcement in July 2024 following widespread backlash, with many Nigerians describing it as a tool for exploitation.

The police authorities have pledged transparency in addressing the matter and ensuring accountability for those involved.