The Nigeria Police Force has commenced disciplinary proceedings against six officers, including their supervisory officer, a Chief Superintendent of Police, following their involvement in a viral extortion video along the Benin Bypass, Edo State.
Recall that the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, earlier confirmed that the officers involved have been identified and summoned to the Force Headquarters for disciplinary action.
Providing an update on Tuesday, the NPF in a statement on its official X.com page stated that on arrival, the six officers were brought before the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who described their actions as “shameful, distasteful, and utterly unacceptable.”
The IGP was also said to have ordered the commencement of internal disciplinary procedures, consistent with the Force’s zero-tolerance policy for extortion and misconduct.
The officers have reportedly been queried, and orderly room trials have commenced for the Inspectors directly implicated in the video.
The statement read, “Following the circulation of a viral video showing acts of extortion by police officers along the Benin bypass, the Nigeria Police Force, in line with its zero-tolerance policy on extortion and unprofessional conduct, has taken immediate action.
“Upon their arrival at the Force Headquarters, the six erring officers, including their supervising officer, a Chief Superintendent of Police, were marched in to appear before the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who condemned their actions as shameful, distasteful, and utterly unacceptable.
“He further ordered the immediate commencement of disciplinary procedures against all six officers involved.
“Accordingly, the officers have been queried, while orderly room trials for the Inspectors implicated in the video have commenced.”
The Force reiterated its commitment to upholding professionalism and accountability, and assured the public that such misconduct will not be tolerated under any guise.
It also noted that appropriate sanctions will be meted out in line with established disciplinary procedures.
PUNCH Online reports that in the now-viral footage, a police officer was caught on camera demanding either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel from travellers for failing to produce an Electronic Central Motor Registry certificate despite the suspension of ECMR enforcement in July 2024 by IGP Egbetokun.
The video, which sparked widespread outrage, drew swift condemnation from both the public and police authorities.