The Lagos State Police Command has launched a formal investigation into the alleged extortion of $2,000 (approximately ₦3.33 million) from a couple by officers attached to the Area H Police Command in Ogudu.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this on her X handle that the officers involved had been identified and brought to the Command Headquarters for questioning.
She said, “The officers involved in the alleged extortion have been identified and brought to the Command Headquarters. The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed the DC ‘A’ to oversee the investigation. The officers have given their statements, and we are awaiting the complainant to come forward to present his side of the story.”
The alleged extortion came to public attention after details of the incident surfaced on X.
According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), a friend of the couple, identified as Abiodun Alabi (not real name), said the incident occurred in the early hours of December 18, 2025. The couple was reportedly travelling out of Lagos when they were stopped by police officers.
Alabi said the officers allegedly profiled the man, seized his phones, and took both him and his wife to the Ogudu Police Station. He claimed the woman, who was pregnant at the time, was made to sit outside while the man was taken inside and compelled to write an incriminating statement without the presence of a lawyer.
He further alleged that the officers initially demanded $5,000 in USDT but later agreed to collect $2,000 after negotiations. The money was reportedly transferred to a wallet address provided by the officers, after which all traces of the transaction were allegedly deleted.
Following the incident, Alabi said he petitioned the Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU), which linked him to the Station Officer at Area H Command, Olumide Jegede. A meeting was later arranged at the station on December 23, where the couple reportedly identified some of the officers involved.
During the meeting, Alabi alleged that the officers attempted to justify their actions and later claimed the money had already been shared among several personnel. As a result, they allegedly offered a partial refund.
FIJ said N2.2 million has so far been returned to the victims.
Calls placed to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, to confirm whether the complainant had reported to the command headquarters were not answered as of press time.
