The Kaduna State Police Command has ordered an investigation into officers captured in a viral video allegedly collecting money from motorists and cyclists during a stop-and-search operation in the Millennium City area.
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, directed that the officers involved be identified and invited for questioning after the video generated reactions on social media.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, assuring residents that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
Hassan said the investigation was ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether the officers violated established police procedures.
“The Command wishes to clarify that routine roadblocks and stop-and-search operations have been curtailed, except where there is credible intelligence on the movement of criminals, arms, or other prohibited items,” the statement partly read.
The command explained that the route where the alleged extortion occurred had previously been identified as a route used by criminal elements.
According to Hassan, police operatives had recovered 20 AK-47 rifles along the same route during previous operations, underscoring the security concerns associated with the area.
However, the command stressed that the security situation did not authorise officers to exploit their duties to extort, harass or intimidate members of the public.
Hassan said the Commissioner of Police had made it clear that no officer was permitted to use legitimate policing activities as an avenue for personal financial gain.
He added that officers found to have engaged in extortion or other forms of misconduct would face severe disciplinary measures in line with police regulations and applicable laws.
“The command will not condone any act of extortion, harassment or misconduct by its personnel under the guise of legitimate security operations,” the spokesman said.
The police also commended residents who brought the alleged misconduct to public attention and urged members of the public to continue reporting unprofessional behaviour by police personnel.
The command said complaints and credible information from residents would assist the police leadership in identifying officers who violate professional standards.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, showed men dressed in police uniforms allegedly stopping motorists and cyclists and demanding money from them.
The footage triggered widespread reactions, with some social media users alleging that similar incidents occur regularly in parts of the country.
One Instagram user, identified as @almu.stapha0012, wrote, “Come to bypass and see something… extorting tricyclist every goddamn day and they are fully dressed.”
Another user, @edmund_onoriode, alleged that similar conduct occurred in other parts of the country, writing, “This shenanigans by your men happen all over the country.”
Also reacting to the video, @vivianokugo2024 wrote, “It’s happening everywhere in Nigeria; my dad experienced it just last week.”
Another user, @sussy_lords, criticised the alleged conduct, saying, “No matter how much they increase police salary in Nigeria, they will do this because they are used to it.”
The reactions reflect broader public concerns about police accountability and allegations of extortion during road checks and other encounters between law enforcement officers and motorists.
The Kaduna Police Command, however, maintained that its current operational policy does not permit routine roadblocks or indiscriminate stop-and-search activities except where credible intelligence indicates the movement of criminals, weapons or other prohibited items.
The command said the restriction was intended to ensure that police operations remained intelligence-led while reducing unnecessary disruption and possible abuse of members of the public.
It also reiterated that the existence of security threats along the affected route would not shield any officer found to have abused his or her position.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents to cooperate with investigators and provide relevant information that could assist in establishing what happened during the incident.
He also assured the public that the command would take appropriate action against any personnel found to have violated professional standards.
West Trybe reports that the development comes amid continuing public scrutiny of police conduct during stop-and-search operations across Nigeria. While security agencies rely on road checks and intelligence-led operations to prevent crime, allegations of extortion and harassment have continued to fuel calls for stronger accountability, supervision and enforcement of professional standards within the police.
