Inside Lagos Police Station Where Officers Operate as Armed Robbers

EkohotblogMay 24, 2025Read original

Known by nicknames or first names such as Ife, Joseph, Debo, and the notorious “World Best,” these officers are feared by residents.

They hold victims at gunpoint, extorting money before granting release, operating more like armed robbers than protectors or enforcers of the law.

Benedict Eilenbaluagbon, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Akinpelu Police Station, defends these night raids as routine.

In a two-hour

on Wednesday, he casually explained that the Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, authorises divisions to conduct random “pick and screen” operations to identify suspects.

Appointed to the station three months ago, Eilenbaluagbon acknowledged the area’s high crime rate and admitted his officers could improve. Yet, he reportedly took no action against those named for misconduct.

Residents shared harrowing experiences with FIJ. On Tuesday, one recounted being detained after closing his sister’s shop. Arrested without cause and left to endure mosquito bites all night at the station.

Another incident involved “World Best,” who threatened to shoot a resident in the head, an event captured on video as 15 locals attempted to de-escalate the situation.

Extortion is rampant. Ifesinachi Emegwalu was forced to transfer ₦20,000 to an account linked to one Usman Lasisi at 2:26 a.m. to secure his release.

The transaction receipt implicating a police officer with the Akinpelu Police Station, Lagos

Another resident paid ₦5,500. When confronted, Eilenbaluagbon dismissed the complaints, ordering a subordinate to refund ₦5,000 to one victim, saying, “Police no de return money.”

The next day, Emegwalu received only ₦10,000 of his money, with the DPO claiming it came from his own pocket to avoid questioning his officers.

Eilenbaluagbon expressed a desire to hush the matter, stating in Pidgin, “Focus on the one wey never bad so you go fit fix am. The one wey don bad don bad.” His dismissive attitude marks a troubling pattern that transcends Akinpelu Police Station.

Critics say this attitude has fostered a culture of unaccountability that permeates the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.

This is not the station’s first scandal. In 2019, five officers—Orubu Oluwole, Apalowo Ola, Kasai Sule, Momoh Ogwuche, and Adoga Collins—were

, violating Force Order 237 and killing a civilian, Maliki Mohammed, and injuring two others.

Orubu Oluwole, Apalowo Ola, Kasai Sule, Momoh Ogwuche, and Adoga Collins of Akinpelu Police Station were involved in a fatal shooting at a nighclub in 2019. The shooting led to the death of Maliki Mohammed

In a statement, Bala Elkana, then-Lagos police spokesperson, said: “While trying to effect an arrest [at the nightclub], they [the erring police officers] were attacked by some hoodlums which necessitated their use of firearms,” the statement said.

But Elkana noted that “this fell short of the provision of Force Order 237 which defined the circumstances in which a police officer will be justified to use his firearms and the use of force”.

Despite sanctions, Akinpelu Police Station continues to attract complaints.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, was not available for comments on the latest scandal involving the police station.