IGP orders probe into alleged extortion of EKSU student over crypto app
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the Lagos State Police Command to investigate allegations of extortion by officers who reportedly demanded and collected ₦150,000 from a student of Ekiti State University (EKSU) for having cryptocurrency apps on his phone.
The directive follows the IGP’s earlier order prohibiting arbitrary arrests, harassment of youths, and the unauthorized checking of mobile phones by officers nationwide.
The student, who shared his ordeal anonymously on social media, narrated how he and his friend were stopped by police at Ojota, Lagos, during a ride-hailing trip.
He claimed they were interrogated, forced out of their vehicle, and had their phones searched despite showing his student ID and portal access to prove his identity.
He alleged that a second group of officers at another checkpoint became agitated after finding cryptocurrency apps on his phone. They reportedly declared cryptocurrency illegal and threatened to take him to the station unless he paid ₦200,000.
After negotiations and alleged physical assault, the student said he was forced to transfer ₦150,000 to a POS operator under duress.
He described the money as part of his school fees and pleaded for justice.
He wrote: “I am a student of Ekiti State University, living in Lagos, Nigeria.
“At exactly 11:23 AM today, my friend and I were assaulted by the Nigerian Police Force at Ojota, Lagos. I had been hearing and seeing about police brutality on social media, but I never prayed for a day like this. We were coming from Alakuko and had ordered an InDrive to Ebutte, Ikorodu.
“We got stopped at Ojota by the first group of armed police. They asked us to get out of the vehicle and then searched my phone. I opened
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