Group dismisses claims of Police SIU extortion as false, calls for responsible reporting

2026-03-22 - 17:03

The African Youth Development Alliance has described a recent online report alleging that Nigerian Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) officers extorted N5 million from an Abuja resident as “misleading and riddled with inaccuracies.” In a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Busola Tejumola, the alliance called on the public to disregard the report, asserting that no officer of the SIU engaged in such acts. The statement also urged media organizations to verify claims before publication. The group specifically refuted allegations involving one Abiodun, stating that he did not extort any individual for bail, threaten detainees with fabricated charges, or discourage legal representation. “The allegations are baseless, lack credible evidence, and appear aimed at tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Police Force,” the statement read. It further noted that receipts cited in the report do not include Fasasi’s name and fail to substantiate the alleged claims. The African Youth Development Alliance emphasized that as a senior police officer, Fasasi is aware of the legal and professional consequences of extortion, making the accusations inconsistent with his record. The group challenged the complainant to provide verifiable evidence of the alleged N10 million demand or its purported reduction to N5 million, stressing that until such proof is presented, the claims remain speculative and unsubstantiated. It called on media organizations to uphold responsible journalism, avoid sensationalism, and ensure accurate reporting to maintain public trust in critical institutions.