The Lagos State Police Command has issued a stern reminder to residents that they are not required to pay any money when filing complaints or securing bail at any police station across the state.
In an interview with journalists on Wednesday, the Command's Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, emphasized this point while urging residents to resist extortion attempts and report such incidents promptly to the Command's Complaint Response Unit (CRU).
"People should not succumb to extortion; rather, they should make a formal complaint of officers who demand money for any offence to the state through CRU of the Lagos State Police Command," Hundeyin stated.
Rising Complaints of Police Extortion
The warning comes amid increasing reports from Lagos residents alleging that some officers demand cash before accepting reports or releasing suspects on bail, despite the Nigeria Police Force's long-standing slogan that "Bail is Free."
One resident recounted being detained at a police station in the Meiran area after being falsely accused of stealing a neighbor's iPhone. According to his account, officers demanded ₦2,000 before he could write his statement. Even after the complainant withdrew the accusation upon recovering the phone elsewhere, the police allegedly demanded ₦10,000 for his release. After negotiation, he claimed to have paid ₦5,000 to secure his freedom.
In another incident, a university student described being stopped by officers during a routine search at Oshodi. When he couldn't provide a receipt for his mobile phone, which he explained was handed down by his brother, he was taken to the station. The student alleged that officers threatened him with false armed robbery charges unless he paid ₦10,000.
"I told them I only had ₦5,000 in my account. They checked my balance, then escorted me to a POS where I withdrew ₦4,000 and gave it to them," the student said.
Police Encourage Reporting Corrupt Practices
Hundeyin described such acts as "corrupt practices" and encouraged residents to stand their ground against extortion. He cited a recent case where a citizen who was asked for money called the CRU, which intervened, resulting in the person's release without payment.
"People should learn to take advantage of solutions that the police have made available," the police spokesperson emphasized.
The Lagos Police Command's statement serves as a reminder of citizens' rights when interacting with law enforcement and highlights available channels for reporting misconduct within the force.
