Police Officers Arrested In Rivers State For Alleged Assault Over N1 Million Bribe Refusal.
A disturbing incident has come to light in Rivers State, Nigeria, where police officers attached to the anti-kidnapping unit have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a man who refused to pay a N1 million bribe. The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, centres on Cletus Emmanuel Onyekachi, who was reportedly targeted over an expired tinted glass permit.
According to Mr. Onyekachi, the ordeal began when he and his brother were returning home after washing his car. They were stopped by officers along Igbo Ichie Road during a routine stop-and-search operation. Upon inspecting his vehicle documents, the officers noted that his tinted glass permit had expired on 12 August. Mr. Onyekachi acknowledged the lapse, explaining that he intended to renew the permit but was delayed due to issues with the crowded renewal portal. The officers, however, demanded he accompany them to the police station.
The situation escalated when one officer reportedly requested “one meter,” a slang term for N1 million, to let Mr. Onyekachi go. He offered N20,000, stating it was all he could afford, but the officers dismissed the amount, with one allegedly shouting, “What would N20,000 do for us? Haven’t you seen how many of us are here?” When Mr. Onyekachi attempted to make a phone call to raise the demanded sum, an officer confronted him, accusing him of trying to “show contacts” and labelling him a criminal. He claims he was then slapped twice, knocked to the ground, and assaulted, along with his brother, a friend, and a young woman in the car. A viral video circulating on social media shows Mr. Onyekachi with blood dripping from his forehead, shouting, “I didn’t do anything, Nigerian Police stopped me on the road.”
The Rivers State Police Command responded swiftly to the allegations. Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed that the officers involved have been arrested and detained for disciplinary action. “The Commissioner of Police has launched a full-scale investigation into the matter and assigned an operative in charge of a monitoring team to handle the task,” Ms. Iringe-Koko stated on the command’s X handle, accompanied by a photo showing blood on the victim’s face. She tagged the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, to ensure transparency in the process.
This incident has reignited concerns about police misconduct in Nigeria, with reports indicating a rise in assaults despite disciplinary measures like dismissals. Just weeks ago, similar allegations surfaced in neighbouring Delta State, where officers were detained after a viral video showed them assaulting a man. In 2023, a police officer in the same state was dismissed after fatally shooting a man for refusing a N100 bribe, prompting protests in Asaba.
Public reaction has been one of anger and frustration, with many calling for systemic reforms to address corruption and brutality within the police force. The Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa condemned the incident, urging the government to enforce stricter oversight and ensure officers face consequences for such actions. They stressed the need for accountability to restore public trust in law enforcement.
As investigations continue, the Rivers State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to justice, promising that those found guilty will face severe consequences. This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s police force and the urgent need for reforms to protect citizens from abuse of power.
