Nemesis caught up with four policemen on Monday after they allegedly abandoned their duty posts, and set up an illegal stop and search point, where they were extorting money from motorists in Abuja.
At a point, they allegedly extorted N53,000 from from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN) without knowing who he was.
They have been subsequently arrested and detained by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested and detained four police officers
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development on Monday while briefing journalists in the Federal Capital Territory. He said the officers have been taken into custody and are undergoing disciplinary procedures over the incident.
According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations indicate that the officers allegedly abandoned their assigned duty posts, converged around the Banex area in Wuse, and set up an illegal checkpoint where they reportedly extorted money from motorists.
Sanusi alleged that the officers stopped Dr. Aliyu without recognising him and compelled him to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, in addition to paying the associated transaction charges, before allegedly sharing the money among themselves.
He described the officers’ actions as criminal and inconsistent with the standards expected of members of the Nigeria Police Force, adding that they would face appropriate disciplinary measures if found culpable.
The police commissioner said the command launched an investigation immediately after the incident came to its attention. He explained that the officers were declared wanted, while the arrest of the alleged gang leader subsequently led investigators to the other suspects.
Sanusi assured that the command would ensure all those found responsible are sanctioned in accordance with police regulations, including dismissal where applicable.
The commissioner also reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police prohibiting officers on patrol from conducting indiscriminate searches of citizens’ mobile phones.
He advised members of the public not to submit to unlawful demands for roadside phone searches and urged anyone confronted with such requests to report the officers through the police emergency lines or other official complaint channels.
Sanusi further encouraged residents to promptly report incidents of extortion, harassment and other forms of police misconduct, assuring that the command remains committed to identifying erring officers and holding them accountable.
(Ripples)