Nigerian Twitter user, Femi @3eyedpixel, who is based in Netherlands recounts how police extorted N100k from him in Lagos just because he was with his laptops.

Read his story below:

Earlier today, officers of @PoliceNG robbed me of 100k in the presence of my wife. My only crime was having my official laptop with me. They couldn’t pin any crime on me so they insisted I follow them to station or pay 500k. I was running late for my flight, so I had to be diplomatic with them.

We had a lot of back and forth and I finally had to settle for 100k (payment for being a Nigerian). I know nothing will be done, but I’m just putting my story out here for people to know our fight is far from over.

I tweeted this just before my flight took off, so I didn’t see the replies until now that I’m home. A few people have reached out to me about the issue and I will reply once I settle in. I appreciate the support from everyone �.

For the sake of transparency, I will drop details about the event including payment methods and receipts. I also want to categorically state that I was very cooperative and engaging. My communication was totally aimed at de-escalation.

I've seen comments insinuating that I tweeted half truth, some are blaming me for paying while others think I had a skeleton in my cupboard. Omo mo phor o �. This is how typical Nigerians think: We choose to blame victims of unfortunate situations rather than give them justice.

First of all, I'm a software engineer previously with @Andela and now with @BrightComputing in Netherlands. I AM NOT A YAHOO BOY AND I WILL NEVER BE ONE. I only came home for Christmas and was returning to my base and I know better than to let Nigerian police delay me.

When the police stopped us at 7/8 bus top, they first accused my wife and I of not wearing nose masks. Indeed we didn't, but that was only because we were in a rush. I explained this and even showed them a pack of masks and a bottle of sanitizer.

They proceeded to check my luggage, then asked what I was doing with two laptops. I explained that one was my personal computer and the other was official. They demanded to see my company id, and I further explained my company does not issue id since it's almost irrelevant. However, I showed them my NL residential permit as a proof that I live and work over there. It was at this point that they stopped talking and got into the Bolt ride with me. Then two others got into their rickety korope bus and we followed.

After about 300m, we drove into a street opposite Ajao Estate junction and drove for about 150m. All while asking me to pay 500k. I told them I needed to catch a flight but my words fell on deaf ears. They kept yelling and at a point stopped my ride and asked me to get in their bus. I knew getting in the bus would Bleep me up - on a good day, I drag with police but I didn't have the luxury of time - so I had to find a solution quick.

We started negotiating my release. I went as low as 50k but they would rather bundle me in their bus than take a measly 50k. After we agreed on 100, they took me on a bike me to an access bank ATM - a few meters from where we parked - where I withdrew 80k. Because I had earlier made some withdrawals, I couldn't go pass 80k, so I was taken to a Paga shop - also within the axis - where I withdrew the last 20,400 (400 being the charge for paga transaction).

Now that they had the money, they started acting all nice and brotherly. One even asked for my complementary card, while another jokingly remarked "Guy, your wife dey panick o".

I cannot identify these officers by name, neither can I identify their vehicle (a silly mistake on my part), however, I recognize the faces of the two that really engaged me. This is my submission.

https://twitter.com/3eyedpixel/status/1349486946112962564?s=19

This thieves in black have started again. when the youths revolts now they will be quick to remind us that they are human beings like us

If you had refused to pay them, you could have been delayed, possibly shot and tagged an armed robber. Some of your belongings wouldn't even make it to their station.

It's appalling that this has happened over and over again in a country that has a rule of law.
People meant to uphold the laws are the ones breaking it.

Did the police asked you to switched on and enter d password of the laptops? Any exhibit found?
If u b yahoo boy forget I no get empathy for u, coz that means u and d police are d same

Lalasticlala and fake news

When will they stop?

9ja. .which way

devils..e go continue to choke dem and their famillies

Nigeria police is the worst unnatural disaster that defell Nigeria

Cc

you pay bail call am robbed


why you no drop your lappy for them since you no dey hear wetin dey happen for we naija

naija police are mean abegi...this is soo unfair to a hustling guy

Hmm, what's inside the laptop

Nigeria my country.. This country have tired me

Does that mean that SARS is back?

Watin you day use 2 laptop do?

Unclekayfarms:
Did the police asked you to switched on and enter d password of the laptops? Any exhibit found?
If u b yahoo boy forget I no get empathy for u, coz that means u and d police are d same

If you read that item to the end, or even read it at all make your left nyash bend

Small matter,you don dey expose how rich you are....Not that i support what those policemen did, but he should know better most of this police guys on high way are on the look for rich Nigerians....


The moment you showed them ur permit and where you wrk(how much you could earn).

You turn client

Nigeria police still disgracing themselves.
Hisssss!!

I saw them at ikate in a bus yesterday, a black korope / mini van with all of them wearing branded t shirt like SARS , I was like, are these people back?

Bad

Get a professional business or company logo done for just 3k only and get all the following files of your logo;

1, High quality 3D logo
2, Transparent background logo for watermark
3, Plain logo for letterhead, business card, Id card etc
4, Pdf copy of your logo.
Call/WhatsApp me via the number on the image below.
The link to my WhatsApp is in my signature

Nigerian major problem is that no one really cares to fix it.The youths who the burden of the decayed system will rest upon are either busy searching for one social media trend or the other or thinking about one crime or the other to commit in order to make it quick in life.Nobody is even thinking about the solution to this embarrassing state of the economy.We only think about elections on election year. But Las las we go dey ok

please is there immunity for this police like our bad leaders

Harrykn:
you pay bail call am robbed


why you no drop your lappy for them since you no dey hear wetin dey happen for we naija

Someone said he wanted to catch a flight and wouldn't wanna miss his flight u are here spewing rubbish

They have started

Unclekayfarms:
Did the police asked you to switched on and enter d password of the laptops? Any exhibit found?
If u b yahoo boy forget I no get empathy for u, coz that means u and d police are d same

now ask yourself, do you have sense?

May the lord grant you the fortitude to bear your loss