Police extort traveler on Lagos-Sagamu Expressway, utter ethnic slur
Earlier today, a video surfaced showing police officers at a checkpoint on the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway demanding money from a traveler who said he was a resident of Akure. The traveler refused, saying he had nothing to give. In the exchange, one officer is heard saying, 'I would have slapped you and detained you if you were Ibo.' The two-minute-thirty-four-second clip went viral on Friday morning, prompting netizens to call for an investigation and the arrest of the officers involved.
The incident highlights ongoing problems of police extortion and ethnic bias on Nigerian roads. Such behavior erodes public trust, puts travelers—especially those perceived as Igbo—at risk of harassment, and underscores the need for accountability within the Nigeria Police Force. The public outcry reflects broader concerns about corruption and impunity that affect daily commuters and traders using the Lagos-Sagamu corridor.
Authorities have not yet announced any arrests. Travelers are encouraged to record any illicit demands and report them to appropriate oversight bodies. Will you record and report similar encounters, or push for stronger oversight to prevent extortion and ethnic profiling on our highways?