A viral video showing a policeman demanding either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel from motorists for failing to present proof of Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) has sparked public outrage.
The footage, shared on Sunday by X.com user @Teeniiola, captures the officer confronting travellers along the Benin Bypass, insisting on payment despite the official suspension of ECMR enforcement by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, in July 2024. The suspension followed widespread accusations of police extortion linked to ECMR checks.
In the video, when a traveller firmly challenged the legality of the demand, the policeman responded by requesting fuel as payment, equating five litres to ₦5,000. Another motorist was told to bring three litres of fuel. The confrontation exposed alleged ongoing misconduct despite clear police directives.
Reacting to the incident, Delta State Police spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, condemned the officer’s behavior, stating on X, “Little by little, all the moles will be taken out of the system. All these policemen bringing shame to us will be sent out. This is embarrassing and the force is on it.”
The video has reignited concerns over police extortion and abuse of power, underlining the challenges of enforcing regulations fairly and transparently. Authorities have pledged to take disciplinary action against erring officers to restore public trust.
