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Men in Task Force Uniforms Extort Money from Vanguard Reporter on Lagos Bridge
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Energy & Infrastructure

Men in Task Force Uniforms Extort Money from Vanguard Reporter on Lagos Bridge

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Men in apparent Lagos State Task Force uniforms and plain clothes extorted money from a Vanguard reporter on the Mile 2 Bridge.
  • The group damaged the reporter's vehicle and forced their way inside, demanding money after an initial transfer.
  • The reporter was coerced into transferring a total of N19,000 before being forced to drive with the men in his car, who then demanded a much larger sum.

A Vanguard reporter endured a terrifying ordeal on Lagos's Mile 2 Bridge when men, some in what appeared to be Lagos State Task Force uniforms, accosted him and extorted money. The incident occurred around 7:30 pm as the reporter, driving home from work, encountered heavy traffic.

Bring money! Where is the money? Bring money!

— AssailantsDemands made by the men who jumped onto the reporter's car.

As the reporter's car moved slowly, about four men jumped onto the vehicle, demanding money. "Bring money! Where is the money? Bring money!" they shouted. Despite the reporter explaining he had already paid others and had no more money, they insisted, demanding N20,000. The situation escalated as they began hitting the car, breaking off the driver's side mirror.

Fearing further violence, the reporter transferred the last N19,000 from his account. However, their demands did not end there. A second group appeared, stating, "That is their own. We need our own." They threatened to break the car windows and ordered the reporter to open the door. Three men entered the back seat, and another joined the front passenger seat, trapping the reporter with four strangers.

Their response was blunt: that was none of their business. They demanded N20,000. I don’t have N20,000.

— Vanguard ReporterDescribing the assailants' reaction to his explanation of having already paid.

They continued to demand more money, but the reporter insisted his account was empty. As they forced him to keep driving slowly through traffic, friends began sending him money. When about N5,000 arrived, the reporter offered to transfer it, but the men refused. One man got out to "settle" others ahead, returning to demand N400,000.

That is their own. We need our own.

— AssailantsStated by a second group of men who approached the reporter after the initial extortion.

Convinced that continuing to drive with the men posed a severe risk to his life and property, the reporter felt trapped. The article implies a pattern of such extortion by individuals impersonating or acting with impunity under the guise of official authority.

Keep driving.

— AssailantsOrders given to the reporter after he transferred the initial sum and more men entered his car.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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