Breaking: Police demote officer for attempted extortion

The Lagos State Police Command announced the demotion of it’s officer who was caught on video attempting to extort money from a drone operato incident that gained widespread attention online.

The viral video footage depicted two security personnel confronting a drone operator, whose identity remains unknown, on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge in Lagos, and demanding that they produce a permit.

The incident sparked a flurry of comments online, with many social media users questioning whether a permit is actually required to film or operate a drone in the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, while justifying their actions in a statement, however, described the officer’s request for money in the process as unprofessional.

Speaking to our correspondent on Saturday, Hundeyin said disciplinary action had been taken against the police officer, resulting in his demotion from the rank of an Inspector to a Sergeant.

He said, “His disciplinary process has been concluded. He has been reduced in rank from Inspector to Sergeant.”

Hundeyin had in the statement clarified that Nigerian aviation laws stipulated the need to secure a permit before flying a drone.

The statement partly read, “In response to a now-viral video showing two police officers demanding a drone permit from a drone-operating individual on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify that the police officers acted within the ambit of the law to demand to see a permit.

“For emphasis, Nigerian aviation laws stipulate that a permit must be obtained from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the operation of drones weighing more than 250 grams anywhere within the country.”

Punch