The Take It Back Movement Lagos State Chapter has intervened in a case of police extortion in Lagos, leading to the full refund of money taken from a university lecturer by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to a statement released by the Lagos State Coordinator of the movement, Comrade Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeeq, the incident occurred around Abiola Garden axis, en route to Alapere and the Third Mainland Bridge, where the lecturer, a staff of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), was stopped by police officers.
In his words, Adeyemi stated: “Earlier today, a lecturer with the National Open University (NOUN) reached out to me after being extorted by Nigeria Police Force officers around Abiola Garden, heading towards Alapere/Third Mainland Bridge.”
He further narrated that the victim was allegedly harassed, searched, and forced to unlock his phone by the officers.
According to the coordinator: “He was stopped on his way to church, searched, profiled, and forced to unlock his phone. Despite finding nothing incriminating, the officers accused him of being a cultist. They demanded ₦200,000, and after harassing him further, forcefully collected ₦70,000 via a nearby POS attendant. All these happened by the roadside.”
Condemning the incident, the movement said the case highlights the vulnerability of ordinary Nigerians to abuse of power.
“If this can happen to a lecturer with a legitimate job and clear identity, it can happen to anybody regardless your status,” Adeyemi said.
He also disclosed that he took immediate steps by contacting senior police authorities to ensure the matter was addressed.
“I have already reached out to the office of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Area Commander covering that axis to ensure this case is addressed and the officers involved are identified,” he stated.
In a follow-up update, the coordinator announced a breakthrough in the matter.
“The lecturer who was extorted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force has now been fully refunded. I will also be following up with the Area Commander, ACP Omilade Shola, to ensure that every officer involved in this extortion faces appropriate disciplinary action,” he said.
Reaffirming the movement’s resolve to challenge injustice, he added: “We will continue to demand accountability and stand firm against injustice.”
The Take It Back Movement Lagos State Chapter concluded by calling on members of the public to speak out against police brutality and harassment, emphasizing that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
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