An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Eyitere Joseph, has been arrested for allegedly extorting a sum of N50,000 from a National Youth Service Corps member in Lagos.
A video of the officer holding a white envelope suspected to contain the alleged sum was posted on Twitter with the caption, “Police officer allegedly extorts NYSC corps member of N50,000 at Ile Iwe, Ejigbo, Lagos State.”
Reacting to the crime via his Twitter handle, @Princemoye1, on Wednesday evening, the acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said the officer had been apprehended.
Adejobi, who condemned the act, however noted that Joseph was attached to the Meiran Police Station (also in Lagos), not Ejigbo division, adding that Meiran Divisional Police Officer was also given a warning.
The acting FPRO also attached Joseph’s picture to the post.
He wrote, “ASP Eyitere Joseph, in connection with this case, has been arrested in Lagos. He is being investigated and queried for further disciplinary actions.
“He is attached to Meiran Division, and the DPO Meiran Division has been warned for the first time, if such happens again, she will be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.
“We will always act and deliver as expected. We have promised to name and shame. https://t.co/E5OmaJnUYV
“How would a father extort a corps member? Too bad, and we condemned that in totality. Thanks.”
Some tweeps, who reacted to the post, lamented that policemen at Meiran division was notorious for extortion.
“@Princemoye1 that Meiran police station is another thing. When Chioma Ajuwan was the DPO before she was transferred to Ogudu, it was a bit better. Any time it’s dark, you will find them exporting at the Meiran Junction or the Ile Iwe bus stop close to their station,” a commenter identified as The Voice, wrote.
One Arakunrin Abisoye also claimed to have witnessed an instance of extortion by policemen from the division.
He said, “They are still doing it. I still saw them on Saturday afternoon. I’m not sure they are going to stop the daily extortion by Meiran division anytime soon. Same with with Ile-Epo mounting roadblocks at Ekoro junction every night extorting Keke/Bike riders.”
