IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Nigerian medical doctor identified as Nneji Henry on Twitter, on Sunday, narrated how some men in police uniform extorted money from him in Delta State.
According to Nneji, he was travelling from Edo state to Onitsha, when he was stopped by this group of Nigerian police.
They searched his baggage, saw some medicines he his currently on and immediately tagged it controlled drugs.
They demanded N100,000 to bail himself but eventually went away with N50,000.
In his own words: “I’ve never had a cause to talk so bitterly against the Nigerian police but for today.
I’m a medical doctor travelling from Edo state to onitsha, I was stopped by this group of Nigerian police, got my baggage searched and they saw some medicines I’m currently on.
“Funny enough I Was the one who innocently opened the drug pocket to them. Police immediately tagged my medicines as controlled drugs and requested I paid 100k to bail myself.
I tried calling my consultants and our resident doctors association but had my phone seized.
We were in the middle of no where, they brought out handcuffs and brought the threat game on. The head of the “gang” said nobody was coming to save me from here. These guys finally made away with my money 50,000.00 cash.
Today, I developed extreme hatred for a country I call Mine because of the elements we have as security agents.
Pls @PoliceNG , you have to locate these group of criminals and retrain them.
Location is : idumukpoko junction Delta state.”
Reacting to @nneji_henry’s tweets, DSP Bright Edafe, the Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command said, “My annoyance….u got the point, I don’t support what our men does, but we should not encourage them by giving Dem money wen dey request.”
His comments didn’t go down well with some Nigerians as some aired their opinions in the comment section.
@smilepoc wrote: “Oga, from time to time, wear a civilian attire, get into public transport and maybe leave your jurisdiction, so you can see for yourself what Nigerians are facing in the hands of your colleagues. Please don’t speak from a point of privilege.”
Emmanuel Onyeche also said: “While you’re absolutely correct on the need for the Police to be more proactive in curbing the criminality among their own men, going to station with them is always the safest idea. Once you’re at the station, you can safely raise your voice and challenge them.”
A tweep, Beegeagles blog said there are rogue cops at Idumuje Ugbomo in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State.
The tweep wrote: “The location is IDUMUJE UGBOKO in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State. This is the road which leads to Ewohimi in Esan South East LGA of Edo State.”
Yes, there are believed to be rogue cops on that route. Typically from Onicha Ugbo or Issele Uku Police Division.”
@skylord_247: “I traveled all the way from Abuja through Kano through Zaria through Gusau through Birnin Kebbi through Niger state and back to Abuja. The number of police checkpoint was not up to 20 all round. The very few met were all respectful!! They only forget their training when in South!”
@tomzydanuel: “they are very reluctant to call their officers to order but they discipline citizens and maltreat like they are gods on earth, this is how nigeria has always been so i’m never surprised by their actions.”