Nigerian Policeman Caught Extorting Travellers Over Suspended e-CMR In Edo: ‘Buy 5 Litres Of Fuel Or Pay N5,000’

A viral video has surfaced online, exposing a troubling case of police extortion along the Benin Bypass in Edo State. The footage, widely circulated on TikTok, captures a Nigerian police officer demanding money from travellers over the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) certificate, despite its suspension by the Inspector-General of Police in July 2024.

In the video, the officer is seen stopping a commercial driver and his passengers, insisting on payment for the now-suspended e-CMR. When the driver pointed out that the certificate was no longer required, the officer responded with an ultimatum: “If you don’t have it, you will pay money or you buy five litres of fuel.” The officer then set the price at N5,000 per traveller, with another passenger being asked to pay N3,000

The incident has sparked outrage among Nigerians, with many calling for immediate action against the officer involved. Some passengers in the video complied with the demands, while others pleaded for leniency, highlighting the financial strain such extortion places on everyday citizens.

The Nigeria Police Force had previously suspended the enforcement of the e-CMR following widespread criticism and legal challenges from civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had assured the public that the e-CMR was intended to enhance security, not serve as a revenue-generating tool.