Police demote officer over attempted extortion

One of the cops who tried to demand money from a drone operator in a widely shared video has been demoted, according to the Lagos State Police Command. 

In the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge region of the state, two security personnel could be seen in the footage requesting a permit from the unidentified drone operator. 

Netizens responded to this by questioning whether the operator needed a permit to film on the bridge. 

Benjamin Hundeyin, the public relations officer for the state police, defended their actions in a statement but called the officer's money request in the process disrespectful. 

In an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, Hundeyin stated that the police officer had been subjected to disciplinary proceedings, which had resulted in his downgrade from Inspector to Sergeant.

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

In the statement, Hundeyin made it clear that obtaining a permission is a must under Nigerian aviation legislation before using 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.”

Source