Four Nigeria police officers don land inside trouble because dem set up illegal checkpoint for Abuja to dey collect money from drivers. But dem pick the wrong man – na the head of anti-corruption agency, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, wey dem stop.
Aliyu, wey be ICPC chairman, report say Saturday when he dey drive for Abuja, police flag am down. One policeman come tell am say dem go take am to court for traffic offence. But instead of court, the man ask am to pay money. Aliyu say the policeman tell am say, “You be big man, you no go want waste time. Even if we go court, dem go fine you 52,000 naira.”
The ICPC boss say he ask for bank account to transfer money, but the officer refuse. Instead, dem force am go ATM to withdraw 53,000 naira (around £28 or $38). Aliyu say he just dey play along to gather evidence.
After the incident, Aliyu report to police, and FCT Police Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi order “intelligence-driven operation” wey catch the ringleader and others. Sanusi describe the officers as criminals wey abandon their duty posts to set up illegal roadblock for Banex Plaza, Wuse. The four suspects include two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), one Inspector, and one Sergeant.
Sanusi talk strong words: “You get choice: either be policeman or thief. You no fit be both. If you fail to choose, your action go determine where you belong.” The officers now dey face disciplinary procedure wey fit lead to dem sacking. But e be rare for such matter to go court.
This kain extortion no be new for Nigeria. Human rights groups like Amnesty International don document how police use illegal checkpoints and arrest to collect money from citizens. For 2025, Transparency International rank Nigeria 142 out of 182 for public sector corruption, behind 33 African countries.
The FCT police command promise to make example of the officers, but many people dey doubt say change go come. Na only because the victim be big man, dem act quick. Ordinary citizens dey suffer every day.
