A passerby used a drone to scare off police officers allegedly extorting motorists in Osogbo, Osun State. The incident is the latest in a series of allegations of police misconduct in the state, where officers have been accused of extortion, illegal detention and other abuses.
The use of a drone to scare off officers is a novel tactic that reflects the growing frustration with police misconduct. The incident comes amid heightened security presence in the state following the recent governorship election. During the election, the police deployed helicopters, drones, and 15,000 personnel across the state to ensure security. The police had also warned against electoral offences and established a 24-hour call centre to receive complaints of professional misconduct.
The incident in Osogbo is reminiscent of previous cases where drone operators have clashed with police. In 2024, a Lagos police officer was demoted from Inspector to Sergeant for attempting to extort a drone operator on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. The Lagos State Police Command had then clarified that while officers were right to demand a permit for drone operation, extortion was unacceptable . Nigerian aviation laws require drone operators to obtain a permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for drones weighing more than 250 grams.
The Osogbo incident raises serious questions about police conduct in Osun State, where the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged human rights violations by officers in the state. The CDHR had urged the IGP to investigate reports of extortion, illegal detention and sexual violence.
The winners: the passerby, who successfully intervened; and the motorists, who were protected from extortion. The losers: the police officers, who were exposed and fled; and the Nigeria Police Force, which faces another allegation of misconduct.
Bottom Line: A drone has been used to scare off police officers extorting motorists. The incident is a reminder of the growing frustration with police misconduct. The question is whether the police will investigate the incident or it will be ignored.