Police officers attached to the Ekiti State Command who were captured in a viral video allegedly demanding money from a motorcyclist have been taken to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for disciplinary proceedings.
The Police Complaint Response Unit disclosed this in an update posted on X on Tuesday, saying the action was taken on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.
The update, which referenced complaint tracking number CRU100953, stated that the officers were at the unit’s headquarters undergoing disciplinary action over the incident.
The development followed a complaint lodged by representatives of the Biker Association, Federal University Oye-Ekiti chapter, on October 6 over the alleged extortion and intimidation of one of its members.
In a statement issued on October 7, the Ekiti State Police Command said the motorcyclist was reportedly intercepted by a police patrol team while travelling alone from Itapa to Ikole-Ekiti.
The complainants alleged that the officers demanded money from the rider under circumstances they considered improper.
The command said it had identified the officers involved and taken them into custody for questioning as part of an investigation into allegations of extortion, intimidation, disobedience to lawful orders and other forms of unprofessional conduct.
It added that the investigation had been transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti for a comprehensive and impartial probe.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Falade Micheal, was said to have directed that the officers be subjected to appropriate disciplinary procedures in accordance with police regulations, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The command condemned acts of extortion, intimidation and abuse of authority, warning that such conduct could undermine public confidence in the police and bring the force into disrepute.
It also stressed that no police officer was authorised to demand or collect money from members of the public while performing legitimate official duties.
The viral footage showed a confrontation between a motorcyclist and a police officer during an alleged roadworthiness check.
In the video, the rider appeared to resist a demand for ₦20,000 reportedly made by the officer, who was seen speaking to him beside his motorcycle.
The text accompanying the footage also alleged that the officer threatened the motorcyclist during the encounter.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had yet to disclose the outcome of the investigation or the specific disciplinary sanctions the officers might face.