A viral video has sparked outrage across Nigeria after it captured police operatives in Delta State openly counting bundles of naira notes, suspected to be proceeds of bribery and extortion. The incident, which occurred along a roadside in Asaba, showed the officers inside a police patrol vehicle, all in uniform, while one of them carefully sorted through the money as others looked on. Unaware they were being filmed, the officers appeared relaxed as the camera discreetly recorded the scene.
Public reaction to the footage has been swift, with many Nigerians condemning the act as yet another example of deep-rooted corruption within the police force. The video quickly drew the attention of the Delta State Police Command, which on Tuesday confirmed that the officers involved had been identified and arrested. According to the Command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, the four operatives—two of them senior officers—were paraded before the Commissioner of Police and immediately sanctioned. While the senior officers were formally queried, the two inspectors were detained and are now awaiting an orderly room trial, the disciplinary process for erring officers.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Edafe described the incident as “embarrassing” and reiterated the force’s commitment to accountability. He also released a photograph of the four officers, though their identities were concealed. The police spokesperson stressed that the Command would not tolerate misconduct that undermines public trust in law enforcement.
This latest scandal adds to a growing list of cases involving police extortion across the country. Just in June, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State ordered the detention of three inspectors accused of extorting a citizen. Earlier in the year, police authorities in Imo State opened an investigation into allegations that officers had extorted and assaulted a couple. That incident came barely a week after operatives in Abia State were caught on video assaulting a man, further fueling concerns about systemic abuse by security personnel.
Despite repeated assurances of reform, police extortion and misconduct continue to plague the Nigerian security system, with critics warning that such incidents erode public confidence in law enforcement. The Delta State Police Command has, however, urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue exposing misconduct, assuring that officers found guilty will face strict disciplinary measures.
