HURIWA DEMANDS UNANNOUNCED RAIDS ON POLICE STATIONS OVER ALLEGED BAIL EXTORTION

PRESS STATEMENT

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)

HURIWA DEMANDS UNANNOUNCED RAIDS ON POLICE STATIONS OVER ALLEGED BAIL EXTORTION

Calls on IGP to establish direct complaints line as victims allege extortion, unlawful detention

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged the Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Disu, to move beyond public declarations that police bail is free and confront the alleged widespread extortion of citizens in police stations across Nigeria.
HURIWA demands immediate, unannounced inspections of police stations nationwide to expose officers who allegedly extort detainees and their relatives under the guise of bail, investigations and other police services.
The association says the IGP must establish whether he is aware of the persistent allegations of police extortion in several states and take decisive action to end the practice.
HURIWA raises particular concerns about the Tiger Base facility in Owerri, Imo State, which it alleges has become a major centre of extortion. The association says reports by civil society organisations, including Amnesty International, have documented concerns about police conduct and human rights violations in the state.
HURIWA also alleges that some police officers in Imo State demand money before accepting complaints or investigating reported crimes, thereby forcing victims of criminal activities to pay before accessing the protection and services they deserve.
The association says similar allegations persist in Anambra State and other police commands, including those in Lagos, Kaduna and Rivers states.
HURIWA condemns any practice that turns police stations into centres where citizens allegedly pay unofficial charges to report crimes, secure their freedom or obtain justice.
The association says the IGP must recognise that many Nigerians who pay money to secure bail do so under duress, intimidation or the threat of prolonged detention. Some detainees, it warns, remain in custody because they cannot afford the sums demanded by officers.
Against this background, HURIWA describes the threat to prosecute both officers who collect money for bail and citizens who pay as misplaced if the police fail to distinguish between willing participants in corruption and victims coerced into paying for their freedom.
HURIWA says the police must pursue the extortionists, not intimidate citizens who pay under coercion to escape unlawful or prolonged detention.
The association urges the IGP to strengthen existing disciplinary mechanisms, including those of the Police Service Commission and the police force’s internal disciplinary structures, to identify, investigate and sanction officers found culpable of extortion and other abuses.
HURIWA also demands that the IGP establish a dedicated, direct complaints line in his office to enable Nigerians to report police extortion, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, demands for unofficial payments and other forms of misconduct.
The association alleges that existing police complaint channels and published telephone lines often go unanswered. It also expresses concern that citizens struggle to reach police spokespersons and complaint-response officials in Imo State, the Federal Capital Territory and other commands when they seek redress.
HURIWA says a complaints line will serve little purpose unless the IGP backs it with responsive officers, transparent investigations, prompt feedback and effective sanctions against erring personnel.
The association further demands the constitution of special inspection teams led by deputy inspectors-general of police to conduct surprise visits to police stations across the federation. It urges the IGP to personally participate in some of these inspections to demonstrate his commitment to ending police corruption.
HURIWA says the inspection teams should examine detention facilities, review arrest and bail records, interact privately with detainees and investigate allegations that officers demand money before releasing suspects or investigating reported crimes.
The association insists that such visits must remain unannounced to prevent officers from concealing misconduct or manipulating records before the arrival of inspection teams.
HURIWA calls on the police leadership to make the protection of citizens’ rights a practical obligation rather than a public-relations slogan.
The association stresses that declaring bail free will not end extortion unless the police identify corrupt officers, protect complainants from retaliation, investigate allegations independently and impose appropriate sanctions.
HURIWA demands immediate action from the IGP to ensure that no Nigerian has to pay an unofficial fee to report a crime, obtain police assistance or secure release on bail.
The association warns that public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force will remain fragile for as long as citizens perceive police stations as places where money, rather than the law, determines access to justice and personal liberty.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
24th October, 2026