A shocking case of alleged police extortion and assault has emerged from Lagos, where four policemen reportedly operating from Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, have been accused of extorting ₦1,530,000 from a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at gunpoint and mercilessly beating another.

According to Barrister Tolu Babaleye, a legal practitioner based in Abuja who reported the incident, the victims — Tope Olugboja and Damilola Babaleye, both serving corps members — were accosted near Isheri, close to the Police Divisional Headquarters, after dropping off two friends traveling back to Ondo State.

These officers were not in uniform, refused to identify themselves, and did not use a police vehicle. They threatened the young men with guns, seized their phones and laptop bag, and even drove off with their Lexus 350, abandoning their own vehicle at Isheri Division,” Babaleye said.

He revealed that the officers demanded ₦20 million, later reducing it to ₦5 million, before finally coercing Tope to pay ₦1.53 million, including a ₦30,000 POS charge.

“When Tope said he didn’t have that kind of money, they forced him to borrow. He was allowed to call friends and family to raise the amount. Once the money hit his account, they marched him to a POS operator inside the Zone 2 premises and collected it,” the lawyer recounted.

Technology reportedly played a key role in locating the suspects after one of the victims managed to escape. His phone, which was in police custody, was tracked live to Onikan, confirming the officers’ location within the Zone 2 Command premises.

“They were operating right under the AIG’s nose without his knowledge. When they realized the victims were tracking them, they panicked,” Babaleye added.

He also accused the police of ignoring distress calls and messages sent to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), saying,

“I called and texted the police PRO several times to bring this to his attention, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he sent an auto-reply with the contacts of PPROs across states. When I clarified it was Zone 2, Lagos, he went silent.”

Both corps members, who are said to be nursing injuries from the assault, are demanding justice, compensation, and accountability.

Their Demands Include:

A full investigation and prosecution of the four policemen involved.

Immediate refund of the ₦1.53 million extorted at gunpoint.

Payment of all medical expenses incurred by the victims.

Compensation of ₦5 million each for the physical and psychological trauma suffered.

Babaleye condemned the act as “armed robbery in police uniform,” calling it a litmus test for the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

“If the police fail to act, it sends a dangerous message to millions of young Nigerians who no longer trust the uniform meant to protect them,” he said.

As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued any official statement regarding the allegations.