Crime

Lagos Police Launch Investigation into Alleged N3 Million Extortion Attempt by Tactical Squad

Published by Tope Fakinlede on August 16th, 2025.

Lagos Police Launch Investigation into Alleged N3 Million Extortion Attempt by Tactical Squad

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The Lagos State Police Command has initiated a thorough probe following claims that officers from the Tactical Squad at Onikan Police Station tried to extort N3 million from a resident at gunpoint.

The victim, identified on X (formerly Twitter) as Boluwatife (@Tife_badass), reported that the incident took place around 1 a.m. on Thursday while he and a friend were traveling from Lekki to Victoria Island to attend an event.

In a detailed post shared on social media, Boluwatife said that approximately five armed officers stopped them near the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge roundabout. He alleged that the officers pointed rifles at him, forcibly removed him from the driver’s seat, and accused him of being involved in the killing of police officers in Lekki.

He claimed that both he and his friend were handcuffed, placed into a police Hilux van, and taken to the station, while his vehicle was driven separately by the officers. Upon arrival at Onikan Police Station, Boluwatife said he was ordered to strip off his shirt, shoes, and socks in preparation for detention. The officers searched his car and documents but found no evidence to support their accusations.

“After two hours, they demanded N3 million,” Boluwatife wrote. “I refused, and under increasing pressure, they lowered the amount to N500,000. They eventually returned my phone, allowing me to reach out for help. Thankfully, I was rescued.”

He also claimed that the officers threatened to brand him as a fraudster and cultist after he declined to pay, with threats to shoot him made several times.

“I’m not shaken, but what about those without support? Ten officers threatening you without cause is terrifying,” he added.

In response to the allegations, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation. Hundeyin announced that all involved officers have been summoned to the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has been tasked with leading the inquiry.

The public will be kept informed as the investigation progresses,

Hundeyin assured.