The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and detained one of its officers after a viral video showed him allegedly extorting N10,000 from a motorist in Lagos State, adding to growing concerns over repeated cases of police misconduct across the country.
The incident, which occurred at a checkpoint in Idimu area of Lagos, came to public attention after a video circulated online showing the officer collecting money from a driver who accused him of harassment and extortion.
In the footage, the motorist alleged that officers stopped him and demanded his vehicle documents before accusing him of discrepancies in the car’s colour description. He insisted the claim was false and was used as a pretext to intimidate him.
According to the driver, the officer initially demanded N30,000 but later reduced the amount to N10,000 after he pleaded inability to pay. He said he eventually sent someone to withdraw the money before he was allowed to leave.
The video also showed the officer counting the cash while handing back the vehicle documents, further intensifying public outrage after it went viral on social media platforms.
Reacting to the incident, the police Complaint Response Unit confirmed that the officer had been identified, queried and taken into custody for investigation.
The unit, in a post on X, said the officer — identified by the name tag “Samson E.” in the viral clip — is currently being investigated by the Lagos State Police Command, with findings expected to be made public.
The latest arrest comes amid a string of similar allegations against police officers across Nigeria, raising fresh questions about internal discipline and accountability within the force.
In Delta State, two officers were recently ordered for orderly room trial over allegations of using a POS machine to extort motorists inside a police station. In Anambra State, officers were accused of unlawfully detaining, torturing and extorting N1.4 million from civilians before public pressure forced a refund.
Similar cases have also been reported in recent months, including the dismissal of officers in Imo State over alleged kidnapping and car theft, as well as multiple incidents of fatal shootings involving police operatives in Ebonyi State.
Despite repeated sanctions, including dismissals and internal trials, cases of extortion, brutality and extrajudicial killings continue to surface, fueling public concern over the effectiveness of police reforms.
Civil rights advocates argue that while disciplinary actions are often announced, consistent enforcement and transparency remain weak, allowing repeated misconduct to persist.
The Nigeria Police Force has assured the public that investigations into the Lagos incident are ongoing, adding that appropriate disciplinary action will follow once findings are concluded.
