The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested and detained four police officers for allegedly extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Aliyu, after mounting an unauthorized checkpoint in Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja.
CP Sanusi said the officers abandoned their assigned duty posts and converged around the Banex area of Wuse, where they illegally set up a checkpoint.
Unaware of his identity, the officers stopped Dr. Aliyu and compelled him to withdraw ₦53,000 through a POS operator. They also forced him to pay the transaction charges before sharing the money among themselves.
“I must say here too that we have about four policemen in custody as we speak who successfully extorted somebody of high importance, unknown to them that this person is a highly placed person in society. In clear terms, they extorted the Chairman of the ICPC. 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.
The Commissioner described the suspects as “a gang of criminals,” adding that they left their respective divisions, assembled in Wuse Banex, mounted the illegal checkpoint and fled after the extortion.
He said the command declared the officers wanted and arrested the gang leader first. His confession led investigators to the remaining members of the syndicate.
“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 stated.
The FCT Police Command confirmed that the four officers remain in custody and will face disciplinary procedures in line with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professionalism, accountability and zero tolerance for misconduct.
