In a disturbing incident highlighting ongoing concerns over police misconduct in Nigeria, a taxi driver, Umo Friday, has accused officers from the Choba Division in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State of physically assaulting him and vandalizing his vehicle after he refused to offer a N100 bribe. The case underscores the continued struggle many Nigerians face when navigating interactions with law enforcement, often marked by extortion and abuse.
The Incident According to Umo Friday, the altercation took place on Wednesday evening along the NTA road in Ozuoba, Obio/Akpor LGA. Friday, a father of four, had finished assisting three stranded passengers—two women and a man—from the Obiri-Kwere area to Ozuoba when he encountered a police checkpoint. As he approached the checkpoint at about 7 p.m., the officers demanded N100 from him. Friday explained to the officers that the passengers were not paying him, as he was merely helping them reach their destination.
His refusal to comply with the request reportedly angered the officers. Friday recounted how one of them ordered him to park his vehicle, after which they allegedly proceeded to break his car’s side mirror. What started as a simple refusal to pay a bribe escalated into a physical assault, with the officers reportedly attacking the driver.
“When I asked them to fix the broken side mirror, a crowd began to gather, and the situation caused a roadblock,” Friday stated. The tension was only diffused when other policemen arrived and reprimanded their colleagues. Despite the intervention, Friday is left seeking justice, stressing the need for these officers to be held accountable for their actions.
A Pattern of Police Misconduct This incident is not an isolated case in Nigeria, where citizens frequently report cases of extortion, brutality, and harassment by law enforcement. Despite multiple reforms and initiatives aimed at improving the Nigerian Police Force, instances like this one illustrate a persistent culture of impunity among some officers. The public outcry following the #EndSARS movement in 2020 showcased the frustration Nigerians have felt for years, as many have been subjected to illegal arrests, intimidation, and demands for bribes.
Initiative In light of incidents like Umo Friday’s, it is imperative that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) strengthens its internal disciplinary mechanisms and enforces its own regulations regarding officer conduct. Interestingly, on the same day, the assault took place, the NPF’s Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the launch of the Electronic Central Motor Registry (E-CMR) system aimed at revolutionizing how vehicle information is handled and verified on Nigerian roads.
While the E-CMR initiative is a promising step towards modernizing the Force and reducing paperwork, its benefits will remain overshadowed if officers continue to engage in corrupt practices. Adejobi’s statement highlighted the efficiency and ease that the E-CMR would bring to vehicle registration, including improved chances for recovering stolen vehicles. However, these technological advancements need to be complemented by reforms that address the unethical behavior of officers on the ground.
Umo Friday’s ordeal is a reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms within the Nigerian Police Force. While initiatives like the E-CMR can modernize policing methods, they will not address the deeply entrenched issues of corruption and misconduct. Until such abuses are thoroughly addressed, stories like Friday’s will continue to surface, eroding public trust in the police force. The actions of the officers involved should be thoroughly investigated, and justice must be served—not just for Umo Friday, but for all Nigerians who have endured similar experiences.
