“Stand Your Ground”: Lagos Police Reinforce “Bail is Free” Policy Amidst Rising Extortion Complaints

 

Lagos Police Crack Down on Illegal Bail Demands, Urge Residents to Report Extortion

The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated its stance that no Nigerian citizen should be compelled to pay for filing complaints or securing bail at any police facility within the state.

Amid growing concerns over unlawful financial demands by some police officers, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, addressed the issue during a media briefing held in Lagos on Wednesday. He emphasized that both lodging complaints and obtaining bail are entirely free services, as stipulated by Nigerian law and reiterated by the Nigeria Police Force's enduring slogan: “Bail is Free.”

Residents across different parts of Lagos have been raising alarms about alleged extortion by certain officers. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, some members of the public continue to face undue pressure to part with money before their complaints are registered or their freedom secured.

One victim, detained at a police station in the Meiran area, recounted a troubling experience that highlights the depth of the issue. Accused falsely of stealing a neighbor’s iPhone, he was held in custody and asked to pay N2,000 just to receive a statement sheet. Although the complainant later realized the mistake and returned to withdraw the accusation, the officers on duty reportedly demanded N10,000 for the man’s release. He said he eventually paid N5,000 after negotiating with the officers.

This account is just one of many. A university student who found himself at the mercy of officers during a stop-and-search operation at Oshodi shared a similar ordeal. Lacking a receipt for a phone given to him by his brother, he was arrested and threatened with fabricated charges of armed robbery unless he paid N10,000. “I told them I only had N5,000 in my account,” the student said. “They checked my balance, took me to a POS, and I withdrew N4,000 and handed it over.”

CSP Hundeyin condemned these incidents, labeling them as blatant corruption and a betrayal of public trust. He stressed that the Police Command has set up measures to tackle such misconduct, particularly through the Complaint Response Unit (CRU), which is designed to offer immediate redress to victims of police abuse.

“These acts are completely unacceptable and undermine everything we stand for,” Hundeyin stated firmly. “We are urging members of the public to resist such extortion and report these incidents directly to the CRU. The unit is active, responsive, and empowered to take action.”

He cited a recent instance in which a citizen, upon being asked to pay for bail, reached out to the CRU. The unit promptly intervened, and the individual was released without paying any money. This, Hundeyin said, is evidence that the system works when citizens make use of it.

The Command's spokesperson emphasized the need for public cooperation in rooting out these unethical practices. “People should not allow fear or intimidation to prevent them from seeking justice. The more residents report, the more empowered we are to identify and punish rogue officers,” he said.

While the Police Force continues to battle with internal accountability issues, this renewed call to action suggests a determined push toward transparency and integrity. Hundeyin assured that every legitimate complaint received by the CRU is taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.

As Lagosians navigate daily interactions with law enforcement, this message from the top hierarchy of the Command serves as both a reminder and a call to civic responsibility: extortion has no place in modern policing, and silence only emboldens perpetrators.