Four police officers have been detained by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for allegedly extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an illegal stop-and-search operation in Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja, describing the officers as “thieves” who had no business remaining in the Nigeria Police Force.
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According to Sanusi, the officers abandoned their official duty posts, converged around the Banex area of Wuse and mounted an unauthorised checkpoint where they allegedly extorted motorists, including the ICPC chairman, without knowing his identity.
ICPC Chairman Forced to Withdraw ₦53,000
The police commissioner revealed that Dr Aliyu was allegedly forced to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) operator and even paid the transaction charges before the officers shared the money among themselves.
“They extorted him of ₦53,000. They took him to a POS, he withdrew the money, paid the charges and they shared the money among themselves,” Sanusi said.
Officers Declared Wanted Before Arrest
Sanusi said investigations showed the officers had formed what he described as a criminal gang, operating an illegal checkpoint after abandoning their assigned responsibilities.
“They are a gang of criminals who left various divisions, clustered together, moved to Wuse Banex and created a checkpoint where they perpetrated this act before fleeing,” he said.
He explained that the command first declared the officers wanted before arresting the alleged gang leader, whose confession led investigators to the other suspects.
‘They Will Be Dismissed’
The commissioner vowed that the officers would face severe disciplinary measures, including dismissal from the police force where appropriate.
“We got all of them. We are going to make sure they are severely punished. Those that are going to be dismissed will definitely be dismissed,” he said.
Police Warn Against Illegal Phone Searches
Sanusi also reminded the public that the Inspector General of Police has banned indiscriminate searches of citizens’ mobile phones during patrols.
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He advised Nigerians to reject any unlawful request by police officers to inspect their phones on the roadside and immediately report such incidents through the police emergency lines.
“You cannot stop anybody on the road and ask the person to bring out his phone for search. If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don’t agree. Call the police emergency lines and we will ask them why,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents of the FCT to promptly report cases of extortion, harassment and other misconduct by police officers, assuring that erring personnel would be identified and punished.
