January 5, 2026 | News | Lagos
A disturbing case of alleged police misconduct has rocked Lagos after officers attached to the Area H Police Command, Ogudu, were accused of extorting $2,000 (about ₦3.3 million) from a travelling couple, later returning only part of the money while claiming the balance had already been shared among colleagues.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that the incident, which occurred in the early hours of December 18, 2025, came to public attention following an investigation by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and widespread outrage on social media platform X.
How the Extortion Happened
According to an eyewitness account provided to journalists, the couple was travelling out of Lagos before 6:00am when police officers stopped their vehicle. The man was reportedly profiled, threatened, and had his mobile phones seized before both he and his pregnant wife were taken to the Ogudu Police Station.
At the station, the woman was allegedly forced to sit outside while her husband was taken in for questioning. Without the presence of a lawyer, officers reportedly compelled him to write an incriminating statement.
A friend of the couple, identified as Abiodun Alabi (pseudonym), said the officers initially demanded $5,000 in USDT, but after prolonged pressure and intimidation, the man agreed—under duress—to pay $2,000 in cryptocurrency.
“The police provided a wallet address, collected the money and then deleted all traces of the transaction,” Alabi disclosed. “We were only able to get proof because the transfer was made from another person’s wallet.”
Exposure Forces Partial Refund
Following the incident, Alabi reported the matter to the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU), which linked him to Mr. Olumide Jegede, the Station Officer at Area H Command.
When FIJ journalists contacted Jegede on December 19, 2025, he invited them to the station to address the complaint. By December 23, the couple returned and reportedly identified the officers involved in the extortion.
During the meeting, the pregnant woman narrated the emotional trauma she suffered, while one of the officers allegedly attempted to justify the extortion by claiming he had “helped” the couple.
“They even threatened to invite the cybercrimes unit to investigate the man for fraud,” Alabi added.
Despite the intimidation, the victims insisted on their innocence and demanded a full refund of the extorted funds.
Police Claim Money Has Been Shared
According to the report, the station leadership admitted that the full amount could not be returned because it had already been distributed among several officers.
Initially, the police agreed to refund ₦2.3 million, paying ₦2 million immediately and promising to return the remaining ₦300,000 later.
On Wednesday, an additional ₦200,000 was reportedly refunded, leaving ₦100,000 outstanding. Officers allegedly pleaded to retain ₦1 million, claiming the balance had been shared and could no longer be recovered.
Official Reaction
When contacted on Saturday, Mr. Olumide Jegede, head of the Area H Command, declined to comment on the matter but asked journalists to return on Monday for further discussion.
Growing Public Concern
The incident has sparked renewed outrage over allegations of extortion, abuse of power, and lack of accountability within the Nigeria Police Force. Rights groups and concerned citizens are calling for a full refund, disciplinary action, and criminal investigation into the officers involved.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the story unfolds.
