The Extortion Epidemic: How Lagos Police Prey on Citizens and the Watchdogs Fighting Back
Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling economic hub, is a city of contradictions—vibrant markets, towering skyscrapers, and a police force that routinely shakes down its own citizens. The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), a fearless nonprofit, has been peeling back the layers of this systemic rot, exposing how officers of the Lagos State Police Command exploit their badges to extort, steal, and intimidate. From students to returning expats, no one is safe from the “bail is free” lie that masks a thriving extortion racket. This isn’t just about stolen cash; it’s about broken trust in the institution meant to protect the public.
The Anatomy of a Shakedown
FIJ’s investigations reveal a playbook so brazen it could be a crime thriller. Take the case of Righteous Onobrakpeya, a prospective corps member robbed of N452,000 by Lagos police in April 2025. Officers swooped in like thieves in uniform, only returning the money after media outrage forced their hand. But Onobrakpeya’s story is far from unique. In December alone, FIJ documented 11 cases where officers stole N2,487,000 at gunpoint—a chilling reminder that the police aren’t just failing to stop crime; they *are* the crime.
The methods vary: fake arrests, trumped-up charges, or outright theft during “stop-and-search” operations. Corps members, shop owners, and even a South Africa returnee (relieved of N750,000 by the Langbasa Police Station) have all been targets. The common thread? A police force that treats citizens like ATMs.
Media Pressure: The Only Accountability Tool That Works
When the system is rigged, sunlight becomes the best disinfectant. FIJ’s reports have repeatedly forced the Lagos Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) into action—like when a shop owner’s wrongful detention and extortion were reversed after public outcry. But why does it take a viral story for justice to limp into action? The Lagos Police Command’s hierarchy, from the Commissioner to beat cops, seems allergic to self-policing.
The Langbasa case proves the point: money was returned only after FIJ’s exposé made the department a laughingstock. Without media scrutiny, victims have zero leverage. The CRU’s interventions are reactive, not systemic—a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.
The Reform That Isn’t Happening
The Lagos Police Command’s response to these scandals? A mix of silence, half-hearted suspensions, and empty promises. The Inspector-General of Police appoints commissioners, yet accountability evaporates at the station level. Officers caught red-handed face slaps on the wrist—if anything. Meanwhile, victims risk retaliation for speaking up.
Real solutions demand more than press releases. Independent oversight bodies with teeth, body cameras on officers, and whistleblower protections could start to dismantle the extortion machine. But until the police see citizens as people to protect—not prey—the cycle will continue.
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FIJ’s work has clawed back millions for victims and spotlighted a crisis Lagos can’t ignore. But returned cash doesn’t erase trauma, and one-off victories won’t fix a broken system. The Lagos Police Command must choose: uphold the law or become its worst offenders. For now, the real detectives aren’t wearing badges—they’re holding cameras and notebooks, turning every exposé into a reckoning. The public’s trust is on life support, and only systemic reform can revive it.
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