Activist Alleges SCID Awka Officers Broke Into Home, Extorted ₦1 Million, and Threatened Victim

In a disturbing revelation that has reignited concerns over police misconduct in Nigeria, human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has shared a video detailing a chilling account of alleged abuse by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka, Anambra State.

According to Gwamnishu, officers forcibly broke into a man’s home without presenting a warrant, accusing him of being a cultist before whisking him away in what now appears to be an orchestrated case of extortion and intimidation.

The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed for security reasons, was reportedly taken into custody and told that his freedom would come at a price. The alleged demand? A staggering ₦1 million, paid as what the officers called “bail” — despite Nigeria’s constitutional provisions clearly stating that bail is not to be monetized.

After the sum was allegedly paid, the officers are said to have warned the man in no uncertain terms: if he dared to speak out or seek justice, they would ensure he ended up in prison.

The video shared by Gwamnishu, which has since begun circulating widely on social media, paints a grim picture of unchecked law enforcement power and the deep-seated corruption many Nigerians have long accused the police of perpetuating.

It also underscores the prevailing climate of fear where victims of such abuses are often silenced through threats, knowing the cost of fighting back can be life-altering.

The incident has triggered outrage among rights groups and citizens, many calling for an immediate and independent investigation into the matter.

Critics argue that such acts, if left unpunished, will only embolden rogue officers and deepen the public’s mistrust of the police force.

This latest allegation adds to a growing catalogue of reports about security agencies operating with impunity, often blurring the line between law enforcement and lawlessness.

The Anambra State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement at the time of this report, but pressure is mounting for the authorities to act decisively — not just to investigate this specific case, but to send a strong message that no officer is above the law.

For many Nigerians, the question is no longer whether these abuses are happening, but whether the system will ever hold its own enforcers accountable. Until then, fear, extortion, and silence may continue to be the unspoken price of survival.

Watch the video below