“Forget driver’s licence, just offer N200 at checkpoints” — VDM blasts police
Activist Calls for Police Investigation Following Alleged Misconduct
Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has urged Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and dismiss a police officer featured in a viral video. The video reportedly shows the officer demanding money from a motorist while making a tribal slur.
The footage, which VDM posted on his official social media account, depicts the officer conducting a routine check. The motorist presented his driver’s license and vehicle documents for inspection. However, after examining the documents, the officer allegedly requested the motorist to “settle” him financially.
When the motorist declined, stating he had no money, the officer allegedly withheld the driver’s license while returning the remaining vehicle documents.
In the video, the officer can be heard saying, “If it is another person or Igbo or other persons, I will just say go and park there.” VDM condemned this remark, describing it as discriminatory and contrary to the duties expected of a police officer.
“This is coming from a public servant trained to treat everyone equally, regardless of tribe,” VDM stated. He asserted that the officer’s failure to return the driver’s license, despite finding no issues with the vehicle documents, indicated an attempt to extort money.
VDM further interpreted the officer’s instruction to the motorist to “go and do better thing make you dey go” as a veiled demand for payment before the motorist could continue his journey.
He criticized the notion that compliant drivers with valid licensing should still be subjected to alleged extortion. “Forget your driver’s license, just carry N200 for police checkpoints,” VDM remarked, implying that such practices undermine lawful processes.
He cautioned that unchecked police conduct could lead to increased harassment of motorists and foster ethnic profiling within law enforcement.
As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not released an official statement regarding the allegations or the video.
