Nigerian Man Alleges Abduction and Extortion by Policemen in Edo for Marrying an American

A Nigerian man from Benin City, Edo State, has publicly recounted a harrowing encounter with unidentified individuals he believes to be police officers. In a viral video published on August 16, 2025, he described being abducted, beaten, and extorted—apparently because he was married to an American woman.

The incident, which he said happened around 8 p.m. while he was returning from work, began after the men stopped him and searched his phone. Upon seeing photos of his American wife, they concluded he had money and immediately began to demand cash. He was handcuffed, beaten, and forced into a vehicle. The men demanded ₦1 million, threatening to kill him if he did not comply.

He explained that he was held from about 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., during which the alleged officers stopped other vehicles and extorted people, including one victim who was forced to pay ₦500,000. In addition to the physical torture, the men took his phone, power bank, and charger.

Eventually, after failing to get the amount they demanded, they released him by the roadside at about 1 a.m. He stressed that this was not the first time he had experienced such treatment and called on Nigerians to share his story so the authorities could investigate what he described as a criminal squad masquerading as police officers.

This disturbing account highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and reforms in Nigeria’s security sector, as citizens continue to face threats not just from criminals but also from those meant to protect them.