On this week’s episode of FestacOnline Voices, where we spotlight real stories and lived experiences from residents across Amuwo-Odofin, a young medical doctor shared how he narrowly escaped police extortion at Area E Police Command, FESTAC.
Dr. Christopher Ugochukwu was heading home on Thursday when the incident occurred. According to him, he was on a bike along the FESTAC axis when a police officer flagged him down for a search.
What started as a routine stop quickly escalated.
They saw only lubricant and condoms nothing else”
The doctor told Festaconline that the officer searched him once and found nothing. But after spotting a Kiss lubricant in his bag, the officer called in a colleague and immediately ordered him into their police bus before taking him to the station.
“They searched all my belongings. They only saw condoms and lubricant ,nothing incriminating,” Ugochukwu said.
Inside the station, after the officers failed to establish any wrongdoing, they handed him over to a female officer identified as Loveth Iwere, who allegedly demanded ₦500,000, claiming that having lubricant in his possession was an “offence”.
The doctor said she later “reduced” the amount and insisted he must pay ₦30,000 before he would be allowed to leave. His bag was withheld while he stepped out to withdraw the money from a POS agent.
A quick phone call changed everything
While outside the station, Dr. Ugochukwu’s brother placed an urgent call to FIJ (Foundation for Investigative Journalism) to raise alarm about what was happening.
FIJ immediately contacted senior police channels by first calling Egburuaja Nwachukwu, the Area E Commander, and then reaching out through the Lagos Police Public Relations Office when the commander didn’t answer.
Within minutes, pressure mounted. The officers at Area E released Ugochukwu without collecting the ₦30,000.
Residents who spoke to Festaconline expressed anger and exhaustion over repeated reports of harassment within FESTAC and its environs. Many noted that this incident would have ended differently if the doctor had no one to call.
Why FO Voices Matters
Stories like this are exactly why Festaconline Voices exists, to give residents a platform to speak, document their experiences, and call out issues that affect daily life in Amuwo-Odofin.
If you have a personal experience or story you want to share, send us a message. Your voice matters.