By Victor Anazonwu
This is not an undercover report by BBC. This is an open cover report by a Nigerian citizen in distress.
Recently, my WhatsApp number was hacked into by cyber criminals who went on to use my ID to solicit funds for a childish Ponzi scheme from my chat groups. Luckily, no one was fooled.
Once I was alerted, I quickly went to three places: (1) My network provider (2) My bank (3) A nearby police station.
At my network provider, I was immediately attended to as an emergency. My line was secured and I was assured there’d be no further damage. At my bank, I got a similar treatment. Plus tips and assurances to secure my details.
At the police station, I spent the first 10 minutes being referred from one officer to another. Finally, I was taken to a police woman who was eating roast yam and oil from a cellophane bag. She was very courteous and invited me to join her. I declined with thanks. She left her food to get me a statement form and guided me to use it. Then she took me to a superior officer who told her official steps to take. After over 1 hour at the station, on our way out of Oga’s office, she dropped a bombshell: I was to drop N15 – 20k “to enable them do proper investigation to catch the criminals” and N2k to enable her facilitate the process!
When I recovered from my shock, I asked her if it was normal procedure for victims of crime to pay for investigation and possible arrest of criminals. She said the choice was mine. I gave up and went home.
I am still wondering: Who did this to us???? This is probably my third visit to a police station in all my life. Each time, I leave with a bitter taste in my mouth. Who did this to Nigeria???
Victor Anazonwu is the author of The 8 Habits of Highly Ineffective People and two other books. He lives in Lagos.
