The Oyo State Police Command has denied an alleged extortion claim involving two officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit in the state.
The command said it commenced an investigation following a directive by the Commissioner of Police to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegation.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, preliminary investigations established that a commercial bus driver allegedly overtook a truck being stopped by officers of the Federal Highway Patrol Unit along the Idiayunre/Ijebu-Ode Expressway in September 2026.
The command said the manoeuvre nearly resulted in a serious road traffic accident.
It said the driver subsequently stopped after sighting a Safer Highway Patrol team ahead, adding that ASP Oyetade Olayinka approached the vehicle to ascertain what had happened and requested the driver’s licence and relevant vehicle documents.
“The driver, however, declined to produce the documents,” the statement said.
The driver subsequently contacted the Chairman of Onitsha Garage, identified as Mr BJ, who arrived at the scene with other park leaders in a Toyota Sienna bus.
The command said the arrival of the group led to increased activity at the scene, prompting officers of the Safer Highway and Federal Highway Patrol Units to work together to manage the situation and prevent disruption to traffic.
“While the situation was being managed, the commercial bus driver commenced recording the incident with his mobile phone and made claims against the Police Officers,” the statement added.
Following the allegation, the two police officers were invited to the Police Headquarters, interviewed and made statements under caution.
The command said its preliminary investigation found no evidence of extortion against the officers in connection with the incident.
“The investigation also established that no evidence of extortion was found against the officers in respect of the incident,” the statement said.
The police said the leadership of Onitsha Garage, which was present at the scene, had also been invited to assist with the investigation.
According to the statement, the park leaders undertook to produce the commercial bus driver who made the allegation so that he could provide a statement and clarify the circumstances surrounding his claim.
“Consequently, the Command is awaiting the production of the driver to enable him provide a statement and clarify the circumstances surrounding his claim, while further investigative steps are being taken to establish the full facts of the incident,” the statement said.
The command reiterated its commitment to professional policing, accountability and transparency, saying complaints against its personnel would continue to be investigated we objectively.