A disturbing incident of police misconduct has come to light, as Nigerian policemen in Abuja have been accused of assaulting and extorting a staggering N350,000 from a motorist under the pretext of checking for third-party insurance. The incident has sparked outrage among concerned citizens, calling for immediate action against the officers involved.
According to reports from the victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous for safety reasons, the incident occurred on the busy Abuja-Kubwa road when the motorist was flagged down by a group of policemen. The officers, who appeared to be on a routine patrol, claimed to be checking third-party insurance documents of vehicles as part of their duty. However, after the motorist was unable to provide the requested documents, the policemen allegedly began to intimidate and physically assault the individual, demanding a substantial sum of money to avoid further harassment and charges.
The victim claims that the officers threatened to seize the vehicle and take the matter to court unless an immediate payment of N350,000 was made. Fearing further repercussions, the motorist reluctantly agreed to hand over the money. The entire ordeal, which took place under the glare of traffic, was an alarming display of police abuse of power.
This extortion is yet another example of the persistent challenges facing the Nigerian public in their interactions with law enforcement. Concerns about corruption and misconduct within the police force have been raised time and again, with such incidents eroding the public’s trust in the very institutions meant to protect and serve them.
In response to the incident, human rights organizations have called for an investigation into the actions of the officers involved. Civil society groups have also demanded stricter measures to address police misconduct, including enhanced oversight and accountability for officers who engage in such illegal activities.