A disturbing video circulating widely on TikTok has sparked outrage after revealing a Nigerian police officer extorting travellers over the Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) certificate — a requirement that was officially suspended by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in 2024.
The incident took place along the Benin Bypass in Edo State and was captured in real time by a passenger. The footage, which gained significant traction on social media by Sunday, shows the officer confronting a commercial driver and his passengers, demanding either payment of N5,000 or a “donation” of five litres of fuel — despite the e-CMR no longer being enforced.
“Where is your ECMR?” the officer asks.
When the driver responded that the e-CMR was no longer valid, the officer insisted: “If you don’t have it, you will pay money or buy five litres of fuel.”
The driver then asked, “How much is five litres?” to which the officer bluntly replied, “That is N5,000.”
Further into the exchange, the officer attempted to split the extortion by requesting N5,000 from one individual and N3,000 from another passenger.
Several visibly distressed passengers can be seen pleading with the officer. One of them remarked, “If I had the money, I would have paid right away.”
The video, captioned by the TikTok user as “Travelers who do not have ECMR which the IGP has suspended were asked to pay N5,000 or buy 5 litres of fuel,” has ignited calls for accountability and reform within the Nigerian Police Force.
The e-CMR system was introduced as part of Nigeria’s efforts to digitalize vehicle data for enhanced security and transparency. However, its enforcement was suspended in July 2024 by the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, following backlash from civil society groups and legal professionals.
At the time, police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi clarified that the e-CMR was never intended as a revenue-generating scheme. He emphasized that the suspension was meant to allow public education and ensure a proper rollout.
“The Inspector-General of Police has ordered an immediate suspension of the proposed enforcement to allow mass enlightenment on the benefits and functionality of the platform,” Adejobi stated.
Despite these directives, the viral video demonstrates that some officers continue to exploit public ignorance, using the e-CMR as a tool for roadside extortion.
The incident adds to the growing list of complaints regarding police misconduct in Nigeria, especially targeting motorists and commercial drivers on highways. Civil rights advocates have since called for the immediate identification and disciplinary action against the officer involved.
As Nigerians await a response from the Police Force, many are renewing demands for better oversight, transparency, and protection against systemic abuse within law enforcement.
The Nigerian public continues to voice frustration online, urging the IGP to match words with actions and ensure that rogue officers are held accountable to prevent further erosion of trust in the police.
