Lagos Police Refund Extorted ₦2.2m to Couple, Claim Remaining ₦1.1m Was Distributed
Lagos Police Refund Extorted ₦2.2m to Couple, Claim Remaining ₦1.1m Was Distributed
Officers from the Area H Police Command in Ogudu, Lagos, reportedly extorted $2,000 (equivalent to ₦3,330,000) from a couple following an unjustified arrest on December 18, 2025.
According to a report by FIJ, the involved officers returned ₦2.2 million of the extorted funds after the incident gained traction on X (formerly Twitter). However, they are allegedly requesting to keep ₦1 million, offering to return only an additional ₦100,000 on the grounds that the loot had already been divided among several officers.
Recounting the event to reporters, a friend of the victims identified as Abiodun Alabi (pseudonym) stated that the couple was intercepted by police before 6:00 am on December 18 while attempting to travel out of Lagos.
The officers allegedly profiled the husband, issued threats, and confiscated the couple’s mobile phones before escorting them to the Ogudu Police Station.
Once at the station, the wife was forced to wait outside while the husband was coerced into writing an incriminating statement without legal representation. Following this, the officers reportedly demanded a bribe of $5,000 in USDT.
A dispute ensued over the amount, but the husband eventually yielded to pressure and agreed to pay $2,000 in USDT.
The officers provided a digital wallet address for the transfer and subsequently attempted to erase all digital evidence of the transaction.
Fortunately, a record of the payment was preserved because the funds were transferred from a friend’s wallet rather than the victim’s own account.
Alabi contacted the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) the same day, which led him to Olumide Jegede, the Station Officer at the Area H Command.
Reporters reached out to Jegede on December 19, and he requested a meeting at the station to settle the matter, as the couple had already proceeded with their travel plans.
By December 23, 2025, Alabi and the couple returned to the station, where they successfully pointed out the officers responsible for the extortion.
Alabi informed FIJ that Jegede appeared dismissive during the meeting, questioning Alabi’s “aggressive” demeanor and suggesting that his lack of a friendly attitude might hinder the resolution of the case.
The victims detailed their ordeal, with the pregnant wife highlighting the significant emotional distress caused by the incident.
In response, the lead officer of the team involved attempted to frame the extortion as a voluntary gesture, claiming he had asked the husband if the money was given “willingly.”
After these attempts at manipulation failed, the officers reportedly resorted to intimidation, threatening to involve the cybercrimes unit to investigate the husband for potential fraud.
Despite the threats, the victims maintained their innocence and demanded a full refund.
Jegede informed them that because the money had already been split among various personnel, they could only facilitate a refund of ₦2.3 million—offering ₦2 million immediately and the remaining ₦300,000 at a later date.
By Wednesday, the police had transferred ₦200,000, claiming the team leader was unwell and that the final ₦100,000 would be sent upon his recovery.
When contacted on Saturday, Mr. Jegede declined to provide an official statement at that time but invited the reporter to his office the following Monday for further updates.
