The Lagos State Police Command has initiated a formal investigation into a serious allegation that reveals a disturbing evolution in police misconduct: the extortion of approximately ₦3.33 million (roughly $2,000) in cryptocurrency from a couple. This case, centered on officers from the Area H Command in Ogudu, is not merely another report of bribery. It represents a complex intersection of digital finance, abuse of power, and the ongoing struggle for police accountability in Nigeria. The probe, confirmed by Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi on X, signifies an official response to a scandal that first broke through investigative journalism.
According to official statements, the implicated officers have been identified and transferred to the state command headquarters for interrogation. Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh has assigned the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration to supervise the inquiry, a move that suggests the command is treating the matter with internal gravity. SP Adebisi stated, “The officers involved in the alleged extortion have been identified and brought to the Command Headquarters… The officers have given their statements, and we are awaiting the complainant to come forward to present his side of the story.” This last point highlights a critical juncture in the investigation—its progression now hinges on the victims’ willingness to engage with the formal system that allegedly failed them.
The allegations originated from a detailed report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which provided a chilling narrative. A source using the pseudonym Abiodun Alabi, a friend of the victims, recounted that the couple was stopped in the early hours of December 18, 2025, while traveling out of Lagos. The man was profiled, their phones were seized—a common tactic to isolate victims and prevent recording—and they were taken to Ogudu Police Station. There, the pregnant wife was allegedly left sitting outside, while her husband was forced to write a statement without legal counsel, a clear violation of procedural rights.
The extortion method itself is noteworthy. The officers reportedly demanded $5,000 in USDT (Tether), a stablecoin cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar, before negotiating down to $2,000. The demand for cryptocurrency is particularly insidious; it creates a seemingly untraceable transaction trail, moving illicit funds outside the traditional banking system. The victim was forced to transfer the funds to a provided wallet address, after which transaction records on his device were reportedly deleted—an attempt at digital evidence destruction.
The victims’ recourse through the Police Complaints Response Unit led to a meeting on December 23 with Area H Station Officer Olumide Jegede. Shockingly, during this session, the implicated officers allegedly admitted to the act, justified their actions, and claimed the funds had already been distributed among personnel. They offered a partial refund, a tacit admission of guilt that underscores a culture of negotiation over justice. FIJ reported that ₦2.2 million was returned initially, with a further ₦1.1 million refunded later, indicating the extortion was not denied but managed.
This case exposes several systemic issues: 1) The Digitalization of Extortion: Criminals within law enforcement are adapting to technology, using crypto for its perceived anonymity. 2) The Power of Investigative Journalism: Without FIJ’s report, this incident may never have reached the public sphere or triggered a high-level probe. 3) The Cycle of Complaint and Compromise: The internal meeting resulted in refunds, not arrests, revealing a system that often prioritizes quiet restitution over transparent discipline. The formal police investigation was only launched after significant social media traction followed FIJ’s exposure, highlighting the role of public pressure in driving accountability. As efforts continue to verify if the complainant has engaged with headquarters, this case stands as a critical test of whether the Nigeria Police Force can effectively self-police its most severe breaches of trust.