Police detain officers accused of N40,000 extortion

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has identified and detained officers accused of allegedly extorting ₦40,000 from a resident along the Wuye-Utako Road near Salem Church in Abuja.

The development follows a video that circulated on social media alleging that police officers collected the money from a resident despite confirming that his documents were in order.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, said in a statement on Tuesday that the officers shown in the video had been identified and were in custody. “The officers depicted in the video have been identified and are in custody,” the statement read.

According to the Command, the video began circulating on August 24 and featured a man who alleged that a police officer collected ₦40,000 from him on August 20, 2026. The man also shared footage of a receipt and a conversation he said took place after he returned to the checkpoint.

Adeh said the complainant had been invited to the FCT Police Command Headquarters to provide an official statement to assist the investigation and determine whether disciplinary action should be taken. “He can reach out to the Command’s Public Relations Officer via 07038979348 or 08180382808,” the PPRO said.

FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi said the Command would not tolerate extortion, abuse of authority, misconduct or other forms of unprofessional behaviour by its personnel. “Any officer found culpable after due investigation will be subjected to appropriate disciplinary and legal action in accordance with extant laws and regulations,” the statement quoted Sanusi as saying. The Command urged members of the public to report alleged police misconduct and provide information that could assist investigations.

The case comes amid repeated complaints over alleged police extortion at checkpoints in Abuja. In June 2026, Sanusi warned officers against extorting commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators, saying officers found engaging in such conduct would be treated as thieves rather than policemen.

In July, the Command detained four officers and ordered their orderly room trial after they were accused of abandoning their posts, establishing an unauthorised checkpoint and allegedly collecting about ₦52,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Aliyu, SAN.