Four police officers are in custody after they allegedly extorted N53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an illegal roadside operation in Abuja.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, said the officers did not know the identity of the man they stopped when they mounted an unauthorised checkpoint around the Banex area in Wuse.
How the Extortion Unfolded
According to Sanusi, the officers forced the ICPC chairman to withdraw the money from a Point of Sale (POS) operator, where he also paid the transaction charges before they shared the cash among themselves. Sanusi stated: "They extorted him of N53,000. They took him to a POS, he withdrew the money, paid the charges, and they shared the money among themselves."
Investigations revealed that the four officers left their official duty posts, teamed up, and set up the illegal checkpoint to extort motorists. The police commissioner called them "a gang of criminals" and said they had no business wearing the police uniform.
Arrests and Disciplinary Measures
The command declared the officers wanted. Police first arrested the alleged gang leader, whose confession led to the arrest of the other three. Sanusi said they would face disciplinary measures, including dismissal from the force, if found guilty.
The commissioner also reminded Nigerians that the Inspector-General of Police has banned officers from stopping people on the road to search their mobile phones. He urged: "If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don't agree. Call the police emergency lines."
Sanusi called on the public to report extortion and other misconduct, stating that officers who violate the law would face consequences.
