Nigeria: Police and Obsession With Extortion
[This Day] Extortion, both official and unofficial, is now commonplace in Nigeria. Many Nigerians have been extorted at one point or another, with just as many Nigerians participating in extorting others. This social disease is especially endemic to Nigerian public and civil servants. Many of them, not content with their salaries, seize every opportunity they have to extort Nigerians.
Extortion has become an all-too-common occurrence in Nigeria, with both official and unofficial forms rampant. Many Nigerians have experienced extortion firsthand, and an equal number have engaged in extorting others. This pervasive issue is particularly prevalent among public and civil servants. These individuals, despite receiving salaries, often take advantage of every opportunity to extort Nigerians.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) were established to combat such crimes, yet an ironic situation arose when ICPC chairman Musa Aliyu, SAN, found himself extorted for N53,000 by unsuspecting policemen. The policemen were subsequently dealt with, but their actions underscore the pervasive nature of extortion in Nigeria.
The Nigerian police are also notorious for their extortion practices, which are deeply ingrained and systemic. When a complainant reports a case to the police, extortion often begins with demands for money. Police officers themselves also take money from arrested suspects. Those who operate on Nigeria's highways are particularly brazen in their extortion, with some motorists and passengers killed for amounts as low as N20.
This corruption problem in Nigeria extends beyond the police force, involving many civil and public servants who believe they cannot perform their duties without extorting Nigerians. Despite their salaries, they take advantage of every opportunity to milk the people. The root cause of this failure, both moral and professional, lies in the values of those serving as security personnel. Many lack basic values, with money being the primary motivator for their service.
Confidence in the Nigerian police has long been eroded, with many Nigerians preferring self-help or quietly suffering rather than reporting issues to the police. This mentality of helplessness and wariness has been shaped by numerous negative experiences with the police. For the authorities to rectify this institutional cancer, a change in mindset is essential.
However, this is easier said than done, as extortion is deeply embedded in civil and public service in Nigeria. Many Nigerians view such behavior as acceptable, and this mindset must change if Nigeria is to overcome its institutional, social, and moral crisis.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
