A viral video has ignited widespread outrage as it shows a police officer demanding either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel from motorists who failed to present proof of the Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR).
This incident follows the July 2024 directive by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, suspending the enforcement of ECMR registration for vehicle owners. The suspension came after public backlash, with Nigerians criticizing the policy as a means for police extortion.
The video, shared on Sunday by X.com user Teniola (@Teeniiola), captures the officer confronting a group of travellers along the Benin Bypass, insisting on ECMR proof. In response, one of the travellers firmly reminded the officer that enforcing ECMR requirements was unlawful.
The officer responded, saying, “You can make call now.”
When the traveller declined to call anyone, asking instead, “What do you want us to do?” the officer demanded five litres of fuel, stating, “We’ll go and buy it, that’s 5k.”
“You want 5k from each of us abi?” The traveler asked, as the policeman was seen telling another traveller to bring three litres of fuel.
The video has reignited concerns over extortion and misconduct by law enforcement officials, despite prior directives from police leadership.
Reacting to the video, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, SP Edafe Bright, condemned the officer’s actions, posting on X, “My God. Thanks for recording this. Little by little, all the moles will be taken out of the system.
“All these Policemen bringing shame to us, one by one, they will be sent out of the organisation. Maybe when they become jobless, they will go into content creation. This is embarrassing and the force is on it.”