Some years ago, just before the ENDSARS protests, I encountered a new breed of Nigerian police officers in Lagos—young, stylish, and seemingly inspired by American gangster movies.
Dressed in sneakers, earrings, and casual outfits, their only identifiers as officers were their guns and official vehicles.
This memory resurfaced during a recent trip to Imo State, where I witnessed a similar group of “yuppie” officers at a checkpoint in Amaifeke, Orlu.
Unlike their Lagos counterparts, these officers bore signs of hardship—their uniforms were dusty and worn, and their skin showed the harsh effects of the harmattan sun.
The real issue, however, wasn’t their appearance but their conduct. At the checkpoint, the officers caused a traffic jam longer than a train, seemingly indifferent to the delays they created.
What stood out was their open extortion of commercial tricycle operators (Keke riders).
Riders queued up to pay these officers, who marked each Keke with permanent markers to identify those who had paid.
Officers even provided change to those who didn’t have exact amounts, turning the checkpoint into a blatant cash collection point.
When they approached our private bus, filled with my children, they demanded a “New Year gift.” It became an opportunity to share how Nigeria’s harsh economy had left pockets empty.
Thankfully, we were allowed to pass without further issues, but my children were visibly scared.
This incident brought back memories of a more terrifying encounter in December 2023, along the Orlu road.
Military personnel had stopped our vehicle and forced everyone to alight, including those who were asleep. Despite our pleas, we had to trek a considerable distance before being allowed back into the vehicle.
Thankfully, this time, such a dramatic scene didn’t occur.
Adding to the absurdity, some officers at the Amaifeke checkpoint were seated by the roadside, sipping whisky and appearing slightly intoxicated.
While it was a festive season, their behavior raised serious questions about professionalism and accountability.
The actions of these officers highlight deeper systemic issues within Nigeria’s law enforcement. Extortion, lack of professionalism, and poor public relations continue to tarnish the reputation of the police force.
As citizens, we must call for reforms to ensure that checkpoints serve their true purpose—enhancing security, not enriching officers.
For more news updates, visit this link.
Leave a Reply