By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Officer II Jimoh and official patrol vehicle |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS 2.11 Badagry Unite Command under the command of II Jimoh has extorted a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member on trumped-up charges.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday along the busy Mowo axis of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the conduct of law enforcement officers in the area.
The victim, Gbetoyon Semako, a corps member serving in Ogun State, was reportedly apprehended by an FRSC team led by Officer II Jimoh while returning to his Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
The officers accused him of not wearing a helmet. However, the arrest was marred by claims of selective enforcement. When questioned by our correspondent on why numerous other motorcycle riders without helmets were bypassed, Officer Jimoh was quoted as stating that his team "has the choice to decide who to arrest or not," a declaration that has drawn criticism for promoting bias over consistent law enforcement.
In a desperate bid to prove his identity and mission, Semako presented his official NYSC identification card to the officers. Shockingly, Officer Jimoh dismissed the ID as "secondary" and unrecognizable, asserting that the corps member would only be given consideration if he was in his full NYSC uniform. This rejection of a government-issued identity document has been described by observers as a blatant abuse of power and a deliberate tactic to justify the illicit fine.
The ordeal escalated even after Semako capitulated and agreed to pay the N2,500 fine. In a move described as punitive and unprofessional, the officers responsible for collecting the money deliberately delayed him, refusing to accept the cash immediately under the pretext of "teaching him a lesson." His motorcycle was subsequently impounded at the Mowo Police Station. This pattern of harassment is not isolated. Another victim, Peter Hunsu, confirmed the extortion racket, revealing that he was arrested and forced to pay N1,500 to secure the release of his motorbike.
The incident has become a flashpoint for long-simmering frustrations among Badagry residents. Concerned citizens have expressed their vehement displeasure, stating that the community will no longer condone such extortionist practices from the FRSC, an agency they accuse of mirroring the misconduct of other security sister agencies. Meanwhile, Gbetoyon Semako is demanding a full refund of his money and has threatened to pursue further action if his demand is not met, setting the stage for a potential confrontation over accountability and professional conduct within the FRSC.