Four Nigerian police officers have been arrested on allegations of operating an unauthorized checkpoint and attempting to solicit a bribe from the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu.
The incident occurred on Saturday in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. According to Aliyu's account, he was stopped at a roadblock where an officer entered his vehicle and demanded money, suggesting a fine or an alternative payment to avoid court proceedings. Aliyu alleged that he was then instructed to withdraw 53,000 naira (approximately $38) from an ATM.
Police Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi stated that the officers had abandoned their official duties to establish the illicit checkpoint. He described the subsequent police action as an "intelligence-driven operation" that led to the apprehension of the alleged ringleader and other suspects.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Aliyu detailed the encounter, recounting how an officer approached his car, requested his driver's license, and threatened him with court action for traffic violations. The officer then allegedly proposed a cash settlement, estimating a court fine at 52,000 naira.
The national police chief condemned the officers' alleged conduct, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for abuses of power. "You have to choose: either a policeman or a thief," Sanusi reportedly said. "You cannot be both. If you fail to choose, your actions will determine where you belong."
The arrested officers are currently undergoing police disciplinary procedures, which could lead to their dismissal. The report notes that such cases rarely proceed to court.