The Nigeria Police Force in Delta State has opened an internal investigation into allegations that some officers are operating a Point of Sale (POS) system within a police division to facilitate extortion — a development that has intensified scrutiny of everyday policing practices and public trust in law enforcement.
The move follows the circulation of a video showing a detained civilian being pressured to make a payment through a POS operator, allegedly within the premises of the C Division in Asaba.
Officers face disciplinary trial
The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta, Bright Edafe, disclosed on Thursday that the Commissioner of Police, Yemi Oyeniyi, had ordered the summary trial of two officers identified in the footage — Inspector Augustine Jeremiah and Corporal Miracle Ehirim.
According to Edafe, the officers will undergo an orderly room trial, with assurances that the outcome will be made public. The disciplinary process was triggered by allegations brought forward by security activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who shared the video evidence on social media.
“Their orderly trial will be concluded today and the outcome will be made public,” Edafe stated, adding a public call to “say no to impunity.”
Allegations captured on video
In the widely shared video, a man alleged to have been arrested is seen negotiating payment with an officer and a POS operator. The amount reportedly dropped from N50,000 to N40,000, with an additional N1,500 charged as transaction fees.
Gwamnishu alleged that such practices are routine, particularly around the Head Bridge area in Asaba, where individuals are picked up and taken to the station for what he described as systematic extortion.
While the authenticity of all details in the activist’s broader claims has not been independently verified by authorities, the police have acknowledged the conduct captured in the video as serious enough to warrant immediate disciplinary action.
A familiar pattern in Nigerian policing
Allegations of extortion by police officers are not new in Nigeria. From roadside checkpoints to station-level interactions, informal payments have long been reported by citizens as a condition for release or leniency.
The emergence of POS systems in this context marks a notable shift — suggesting that such practices may be adapting to Nigeria’s increasingly cashless economy. What was once discreet cash collection is now, if confirmed, becoming digitised, traceable, and arguably more institutionalised.
This raises deeper concerns about accountability. If officers are indeed using financial tools within police facilities for illicit transactions, it points to a level of normalisation that goes beyond isolated misconduct.
Impact on citizens
For ordinary Nigerians, particularly in urban centres like Asaba, the implications are immediate. Encounters with police — whether routine or arbitrary — risk becoming financially coercive, with little recourse for victims who lack evidence or influence.
The presence of a POS operator within a police environment, as alleged, also blurs the line between lawful enforcement and organised exploitation, potentially deterring citizens from reporting crimes or cooperating with authorities.
What happens next
The outcome of the ordered trial will be closely watched as a test of the police command’s willingness to enforce accountability beyond public statements. Disciplinary proceedings in similar past cases have often been criticised for lacking transparency or resulting in minimal consequences.
It remains unclear whether the investigation will extend beyond the two officers to examine the role of senior personnel at the division, as alleged by the activist.
What to watch
The Delta State Police Command’s handling of this case could shape public perception of its broader reform efforts. A transparent process with clear sanctions may signal a shift toward internal accountability. Anything less risks reinforcing long-standing scepticism.
For now, the case has once again exposed a persistent tension in Nigerian policing: the gap between official codes of conduct and the lived experiences of citizens navigating the system.
