OPINION: When Police Become Predators in Uniform
Police officers are sworn to protect, yet too often, they become the very predators citizens fear. The recent case of police extortion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, as highlighted by an editorial of the Nigerian Tribune newspaper of Friday, March 14, 2025, is just one of many disturbing examples.
A traveler, on his way out of the country, found himself at the mercy of uniformed officers who accused him of internet fraud simply because they found a love letter on his phone. What should have been a routine encounter quickly turned into an ordeal—one that ended with him being extorted of ₦260,000 via a POS transaction.
The money was sent to an account linked to a suspect, a method that has become all too common in these shakedown operations. This brazen misconduct is more than just a stain on the reputation of the Nigerian police; it is a cancer eating deep into the fabric of society.
When those entrusted with law enforcement become the enforcers of lawlessness, who do citizens turn to? Police extortion in Nigeria has evolved from occasional bribes to a well-organized criminal enterprise embedded within the force. Officers who should be defending the rights of the people now operate like rogue agents, preying on innocent citizens.
The danger of this menace extends beyond financial loss—it breeds fear, resentment, and erodes trust in the justice system. For many Nigerians, the fear of encountering police officers has surpassed the fear of encountering criminals. When citizens approach a police checkpoint, they are not worried about security but about how much money they might have to part with to avoid harassment, intimidation, or even arbitrary detention.
Those who resist are often brutalized, falsely accused of crimes, or threatened with trumped-up charges. Some do not make it out alive. Every incident of extortion further damages the already fragile relationship between the police and the public. Citizens who are supposed to rely on law enforcement for protection now view officers with suspicion and fear.
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This loss of trust has far-reaching consequences—not just for individuals, but for national security as a whole. When the public distrusts the police, cooperation in fighting real crime diminishes. People become reluctant to report crimes, knowing that the very officers they turn to may exploit or even implicate them falsely.
This weakens overall law enforcement efforts and emboldens actual criminals. On the international stage, these acts of extortion paint Nigeria as a nation where corruption is deeply entrenched. Foreign travelers and investors hear stories of police preying on citizens, and it raises concerns about safety, governance, and the rule of law.
Who would want to visit or invest in a country where law enforcement officers act like criminals? I do not speak as an outsider to this reality—I, too, have been a victim. In December 2024, in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, my friend and I stepped out to buy something from a nearby store. Suddenly, police officers appeared and singled out my friend, accusing him of an unspecified crime.
They found nothing incriminating, yet they threatened him and demanded a “bail” fee—right there on the roadside. No station, no paperwork, just a blatant extortion scheme. Having heard too many similar stories, I knew better than to stand around. I ran. Because in Nigeria, when the police grab you, guilt or innocence does not matter. What matters is how much money they can extract before letting you go.
This is the harsh reality many Nigerians face daily. Whether traveling out of the country or just walking down the street, citizens are fair game for extortion. The very people meant to ensure safety have turned into predators, shaking down those they swore to protect. This must stop.
I call on the relevant authorities to impose strict penalties on officers who abuse their power. There should be an independent complaints system where victims of police extortion can safely report cases without fear of retaliation. Surveillance and monitoring systems should be put in place, especially at known extortion hotspots like airports and major highways.
If decisive action is not taken, police extortion will continue to thrive, deepening the distrust between the people and law enforcement. The Nigerian police force still has an opportunity to redeem itself, but it must act swiftly and decisively to purge corrupt elements from its ranks. If the police are no longer our protectors, then who will save us from them?
Abdulhakeem Yetu Zakari, is on internship at PRNigeria, and can be reached via: [email protected].
