Police and Obsession with Extortion in Nigeria

Extortion, both official and unofficial, has become a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with numerous citizens experiencing or participating in the practice. This "social disease" is particularly rampant among public and civil servants who, dissatisfied with their salaries, exploit every opportunity to extort Nigerians.

The irony was stark last month when Musa Aliyu, SAN, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), was targeted by police officers who, unaware of his identity, attempted to extort him of N53,000. This incident quickly led to the officers facing consequences, but only because they encountered someone in a position to address the misconduct. Daily, countless Nigerians are subjected to similar extortion by the police.

This deeply ingrained pattern of extortion within the Nigeria Police is both subtle and systemic. Complainants often face demands for money for various reasons when reporting cases. Suspects, once arrested, also become targets for financial demands. Police officers stationed on highways are notorious for their brazen extortion, which has tragically resulted in deaths over minor sums.

The article posits that Nigeria's corruption problem extends beyond the police. Many civil and public servants believe extorting citizens is integral to their jobs, regardless of their salaries. The root cause is identified not merely as poor welfare for police officers, but a fundamental question of values. Many security personnel appear to prioritize financial gain above all else, leading to a widespread loss of public confidence in the Nigeria Police. This has fostered a mentality of helplessness, where citizens often prefer self-help or enduring losses rather than reporting issues to the authorities.