Chiemelie Ezeobi
A lone policeman attached to the Makinde police station was Wednesday seen at Olowora Street in the Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos, with a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, which he allegedly used to extort money from a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger.
This method of using POS for extortion seems to be the first of its kind and is coming on the heels of incessant complaints by members of the public that some policemen usually take their victims to ATMs to withdraw money.
In the 30-second video, the yet-to-be identified policeman was seen standing with two persons, identified as a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger, with the object of focus being the POS.
In the video, the passenger was dressed in green and yellow traditional outfit with a brown and white cap, while the bike rider wore a yellow and white T-shirt.
Whilst the transaction was going on, some passers-by, especially school children, were seen watching them in bemusement.
The video got many people wondering how a policeman could have applied for and obtained a POS, which can only be given to a registered business, organisation or corporation.
The Police Public Relations Officer of Zone 2 Command, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said the matter was under investigation.
While insisting that the police remain the friend of the common man, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, described the news as false.
He said the allegation against the policeman was untrue, adding that the real fact was that the policeman stopped a motorcyclist and his passenger, who had a bag on him.
He said the policeman who was on routine patrol, had asked for the motorcyclist’s papers, which he brought out.
Famous-Cole said: “The policeman then asked about the bag and its contents. The passenger said the content of the bag were a POS and some documents.
“The policeman asked how he got the terminal and the passenger said it belonged to the company he works with and he had the documents to back it.
“After that interaction, he returned the POS, the bag and the documents to the owner and they left.â€
Owing to the video in circulation, Famous-Cole said they had to fish out the policeman and invited the passenger back to the station for questioning.
He said: “I am currently with the policeman and the motorcyclist. I have done a video of them and I will soon share it on all social media platforms.â€
As at press time, however, the promised video was yet to be seen, neither was it shared on any social media platform.
