Police Encounter Sparks Ethnic Profiling Allegations on Lagos Ibadan Expressway

(Nigeria Police. Photo Screenshoted)

The confrontation reportedly occurred on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where police seized the driver’s documents despite them being in order, and the situation escalated to threats of slaps and detention after he refused to make a payment.

According to the driver, one of the officers was heard saying that had he been Igbo, he would have been detained, a remark that has drawn accusations of ethnic profiling from viewers online.

Igbo commentators and activists, including Aloy Ejimakor, have called for an investigation into the remarks as a possible hate crime, with the incident renewing attention on Nigeria’s ongoing struggles with police extortion at checkpoints.

No official response has been issued by the police as of July 24.

“I Will Slap You! Are You Okay? If You Were Igbo, I Would Have Detained You👀.” Tense Altercation Between Some Police Officers And a Nigerian Who Had Just Returned From The UK After He Refused To Bribe The Officer. The Moment The Officer Said He Was Lucky Not To Be Igbo Has… pic.twitter.com/4BSrN9wcgP

— Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto) July 24, 2026