By Emmanuel Dominic 
Police Officer Causes Outrage Demanding Bribes From Drivers Over ECMR
A viral video has ignited widespread outrage after capturing a Nigerian police officer demanding either ₦5,000 or five litres of fuel from motorists along the Benin Bypass in Edo State. The officer cited the Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) certificate as the basis for his demand, despite its enforcement being suspended since July 2024 by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following public backlash over alleged extortion. In the footage shared by X user @Teeniiola, the officer is seen confronting travelers and insisting on seeing their ECMR documents. When informed that the ECMR enforcement had been suspended, the officer retorted, “You can make call now.” He then demanded five litres of fuel, stating, “We’ll go and buy it, that’s 5k.”
The incident has drawn sharp criticism online. Delta State Police Command spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, condemned the officer’s behavior, describing it as “embarrassing” and assured that the force is addressing the misconduct. This event underscores ongoing concerns about police extortion in Nigeria, even in the face of official policy suspensions. Citizens are calling for stricter enforcement of directives and accountability measures to curb such abuses.
