The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has arrested four police officers accused of illegally extorting N53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Dr. Musa Aliyu, during an unauthorised stop-and-search operation in Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday, describing the officers’ actions as criminal and a betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s professional standards.
Sanusi explained that investigations revealed the officers had abandoned their official duty posts and converged around the Banex area of Wuse, where they allegedly set up an illegal checkpoint to extort unsuspecting motorists.
Unknown to them, one of their victims was the ICPC chairman, whom they allegedly compelled to withdraw N53,000 through a Point of Sale, PoS, operator before sharing the proceeds among themselves.
According to the police commissioner, the command swiftly launched a manhunt after receiving the report, declared the suspects wanted, and eventually arrested the alleged ringleader, whose confession led investigators to the remaining members of the group.
He said the officers would face the full weight of disciplinary procedures, stressing that those found culpable would be dismissed from the Force and prosecuted where necessary.
“They are a gang of criminals who abandoned their various duty posts, came together to establish an illegal checkpoint and carried out the extortion before fleeing. We have now arrested all of them, and they will be severely punished,” Sanusi said.
The commissioner also reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, prohibiting officers from indiscriminately searching the mobile phones of members of the public during patrols or routine operations.
He urged residents of the FCT to resist unlawful demands by police personnel to inspect their phones and promptly report such incidents through the command’s emergency channels.
Sanusi acknowledged that while the Police leadership remains committed to restoring public confidence, some officers continue to engage in criminal conduct for personal gain. He assured residents that the command would not shield any personnel found abusing their office, insisting that erring officers would be identified, disciplined and made to face the consequences of their actions.
