Operatives of the Nigerian Police (FCT Command) has arrested four police officers accused of extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), at an illegal checkpoint in Abuja.
The officers, who reportedly did not know the identity of their victim, allegedly forced the ICPC chairman to withdraw the money from a nearby Point of Sale (POS) operator before sharing the proceeds among themselves.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Abuja, describing the suspects as “criminals” who have no place in the Nigeria Police Force.
According to Sanusi, the officers abandoned their officially assigned duty posts and converged around the Banex area of Wuse, where they mounted an unauthorised stop-and-search checkpoint to extort motorists and other road users.
He said Dr. Aliyu became one of their victims after they intercepted him and demanded money.
“They extorted the Chairman of the ICPC of ₦53,000. They took him to a POS operator where he withdrew the money, paid the transaction charges and they shared the money among themselves,” the commissioner said.
Sanusi disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the officers had formed an extortion syndicate, operating outside their designated duty posts to prey on unsuspecting members of the public.
He said the command launched an investigation after receiving complaints and subsequently declared the suspects wanted before arresting the alleged gang leader, whose confession led investigators to the remaining three officers.
“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.
The police commissioner reiterated that officers on patrol have no legal authority to stop members of the public and search their mobile phones, stressing that such practices are prohibited under the directives of the Inspector-General of Police.
“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,” Sanusi said.
He assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory that the command would continue to identify, investigate and discipline officers involved in extortion, illegal checkpoints and other forms of misconduct.
Sanusi maintained that the command remains committed to restoring public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force by ensuring that erring officers are held accountable and that corrupt practices are decisively addressed.
