Kehinde Fajobi
An officer attached to the Otuocha Area Command in Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, has reportedly shot dead a male commercial bus driver during a dispute over a ₦100 bribe at a checkpoint.
A witness at the scene, a commercial driver named Kamtochukwu, described the incident, which took place on Saturday, 2 November 2024.
“The young man was shot dead during an altercation between him and the police officers over the payment of a ₦100 bribe,” he said.
“During the argument, one of the police officers quickly pulled the trigger and shot him dead.”
Kamtochukwu noted that the victim, also a commercial vehicle operator, was only a short distance ahead of him in line at the checkpoint.
“We were waiting in the queue at the checkpoint when we suddenly heard the sound of a gunshot,” he added.
The shooting caused chaos as local youths mobilised in protest before the officers quickly left the scene.
Responding to the incident, Anambra State Police Command spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed that the officer involved, Inspector Sani Suleiman, had been identified, disarmed, and detained.
“The situation is under control,” Ikenga stated, noting that Suleiman faces further investigation and disciplinary measures.
This incident has again highlighted concerns about extortion and bribery within Nigeria’s police force, which has long undermined public trust.
Despite efforts to address corruption in the force, episodes like these persist.
In January 2023, a video circulated widely showing a Lagos State police officer openly demanding bribes from motorists, exposing the pervasive culture of bribery within law enforcement in the country.