Police officers attached to Sagamu Road Division in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have been accused of demanding N300,000 to release a woman detained over the sudden death of her male friend.
The deceased, said to have been managing high blood pressure, reportedly slumped after a distressing phone call from one of his children on Monday night.
He was rushed to a private hospital before being referred to the Ikorodu General Hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.
It was gathered that the woman, whose identity is being withheld, voluntarily reported the incident at the Sagamu Road Police Station early Tuesday, but was detained after her statement.
Family members of the deceased told Vanguard that they had explained to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and Investigating Police Officer (IPO) that there was no suspicion of foul play.
“We told them there was nothing suspicious about his death and pleaded for her release,” a relative said.
However, the officers allegedly demanded N300,000 through a female investigating officer before the woman could be freed.
“They said we should bring N300,000, but we told them we had already spent over N50,000 on this case. When we offered N50,000, they said we were not ready to secure her freedom,” the family source alleged.
As of press time, the woman was still being held at the Sagamu Road Police Station.
A resident familiar with the matter said the deceased had returned from work on Monday night when he received a distressing call from his child, which reportedly triggered a rise in blood pressure.
“He complained of headache and sweating. The woman got him pain relievers, but his condition worsened. Neighbours helped rush him to a hospital before he was confirmed dead,” the source said.
Police authorities in Lagos are yet to react to the allegation.