“Disheartened admission seeker shares ordeal of being extorted N20,000 by Osun policemen.”

Admission Seeker Alleges N20,000 Extortion by Osun Policemen

Sodiq Oladebo, an admission seeker traveling from Osun State to Benin, Edo State, voiced his accusation against Osun State Police Command officers for extorting N20,000 from him and fellow passengers along the Ilesa Expressway. The incident unfolded when the police, stationed at a checkpoint on the expressway, halted the Sienna vehicle carrying Oladebo and others, proceeding to search their bags.

Recalling the incident, Oladebo disclosed that the N20,000 comprised a portion of the funds he intended to use for purchasing an Interim Joint Matriculation Board form for his university admission process.

“We departed from Old Garage Park in Osun State, heading to Benin, Edo State. The policemen stopped our vehicle and conducted a search on the front passenger before singling me out to inspect my belongings,” Oladebo recounted. “They thoroughly searched but found nothing suspicious. They took my phone, unlocked it, but discovered no incriminating evidence.”

He continued, “They returned my phone and insisted they would take me to the station unless I paid N100,000. Having noticed N99,000 in my Palm Pay application, my brother had given me the money to purchase the IJMB form.”

After a series of arguments, the officers eventually demanded N20,000, according to Oladebo.

“I transferred the money to a Point-of-Sale operator whom the officers called to the location, and they permitted me to leave. The policemen, four in number, were in a black Hilux van. They still have my money,” he lamented.

Oladebo’s brother, Suleman, took to Twitter to demand a refund, mentioning that the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had promised to assist but had not contacted him yet.

A transaction receipt screenshot obtained by our correspondent revealed the transfer of N20,000 to Delight Enterprise at 11:34 am on Saturday.

• Despite attempts to reach her, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, did not answer calls or respond to a text message. When contacted, Adejobi referred our correspondent back to the Osun Police Command for further inquiries.