In a harrowing account that has sparked fresh outrage over police misconduct, a journalist with TheCable has detailed how he, his wife, and their young children were illegally detained and extorted by officers of the Anambra State Police Command.
The incident, which occurred over the weekend near Ihiala, highlights the ongoing challenges of “roadblock extortion” despite repeated vows by the police hierarchy to sanitize the force.
According to the journalist’s first-hand account published today, Monday, January 19, 2026, the ordeal began at a checkpoint while the family was traveling.
The Stop: Officers stopped their vehicle and demanded “particulars.” Despite providing all valid documents, the officers insisted on a “physical search” of the journalist’s phone and laptop, a practice officially banned by the Inspector General of Police.
The Detainment: When the journalist identified himself and questioned the legality of the phone search, the atmosphere turned hostile. The family was forced to drive to a nearby “makeshift” station under armed escort.
The Children’s Trauma: The journalist noted that his children were kept in a hot, poorly ventilated room for over four hours without food or water, visibly traumatized by the aggressive behavior of the armed men.
The journalist alleged that the officers openly demanded ₦500,000 to “clear” him of trumped-up charges of “obstructing justice” and “suspicious character.”
Negotiation: After hours of pleading and showing proof of his occupation, the “settlement” was reduced to ₦150,000.
The Transaction: To avoid leaving a digital trail, the officers allegedly forced the journalist to withdraw cash from a nearby Point of Sale (PoS) operator, a common tactic used to bypass direct bank transfers.
Release: Only after the cash was handed over and “confirmed” was the family allowed to continue their journey.
Following the publication of the story, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) issued a statement via social media:
“The Command is aware of the allegations made by the journalist. We have a zero-tolerance policy for extortion. The Commissioner of Police has ordered an immediate investigation to identify the officers on duty at that specific location. We urge the victim to come forward to the Provost Department to help identify the culprits.”
| Issue | Status |
| Phone Searching | Prohibited (but widely practiced in the SE). |
| PoS Extortion | Rising trend to avoid “Traceable” electronic transfers. |
| Police Accountability | Low; few officers are publicly dismissed for roadblock extortion. |
Civil society groups and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have condemned the act, calling it an “attack on the press and the Nigerian family.” Many are calling for the total removal of illegal checkpoints along the Onitsha-Owerri expressway, which have become notorious as “revenue collection centers.”
