The same day the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris granted the request of the National Human Right Commission, NHRC, to independently carry out a general audit of the state of police detention facilities (cells) in the country, the popular Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS), has again been alleged of extorting a Nigerian.
The citizen with the Twitter Handle @FP_Olamide, took to the social media to narrate his experience with a picture evidence to corroborate his story.
According to him, the policemen had after searched him, found an in-built Google Hangout app on his mobile device. That fateful day, a Wednesday, he was on his way to work.
After a couple of queries, he was taken to the police station in Ibadan where a sum of N100,000 was demanded if he must be freed.
The Twitter complainant revealed he eventually succumbed to the threats of the Police because he didn’t want to be remanded in their custody and paid a total of N10,500.
Our correspondent observed that the victim made the electronic transaction for the ‘bail charge’ with his mobile device to one ‘Ogunkanmi Sunday Isaiah’ a customer with United Bank of Africa, suspected to be a police officer at the Ibadan station.
He had quickly saved the transaction statement which he attached on his Twitter narration.
His twitter story reads:
“ #EndSARS I was arrested in Ibadan yesterday on my way to work coz police officers found an in built app(Hangout) on my phone, I refused to pay until your officers threatened to Lock me up.. I eventually paid N10,500!
“They didn’t allow me to call anyone and I was ready to battle it out with them until I was taken to one of their wretched stations where they were gonna lock me up with some dreadful looking guys! I feared for my health and safety and just had to pay them!
“I was smiling all through this duel, even soliciting on behalf of others. Until they popped up with: Alaye wetin you dey use hangout do? I was surprised coz this app has been there for ages and I dont use it. Las las they told me to pay N100,000 I bursted.. #EndSARS.
“Into laughter coz I thought it was all a joke.. Until I got to station and they asked me to pay 10k las price, for goods I didnt buy! I sha paid and left.. I dont wanna be exposed to danger from these guys in case this escalates and is taken up. #EndSARS.”
In a quick reaction, the Nigerian Police Complaints Unit revealed that investigation into case has commenced immediately.
