Man cries out after Owerri police drag him to bush in illegal search, extort ₦30,000

A Nigerian man has taken to social media to cry out over an alleged incident of police brutality and extortion in Owerri, Imo State.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the man recounted how he was harassed, beaten, and extorted by officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

The post, which included a video showing his bruised face, detailed a disturbing encounter he had while heading out to get food.

According to his account, he was stopped by police officers who ordered him to get into their vehicle. When he initially refused, one of the officers allegedly slapped him.

“They said I should go into the car with them, I said why should I go into the car with you people, one from inside the car slapped me. I entered the car, they handcuffed my hand first, they started asking me what do I do, where am I from, what do I do,” he said.

He continued, “They were hitting me so hard. I’m making this video to raise awareness — this police harassment, they’ve not stopped, they’re still stopping young boys, harassing them, extorting money from them.”

According to the man, the officers took him to a bushy area where they forced him to unlock his phone and open his bank app.

After not finding any incriminating evidence, they demanded money.

“They took me to inside bush to open my phone, they beat me, I transferred the ₦30,000 in my account to them. When I gave it to them, they gave me my phone, ATM card and told me to go,” he said.

He ended his video with a strong appeal, stating: “This is becoming too much in Owerri, Imo State, there’s no free movement again. This is what happened to me this morning, when I went to get something to eat, police people.”

The post has since gone viral, drawing attention from concerned citizens and activists who are once again calling for an end to police brutality and unlawful extortion, particularly among young Nigerians.

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