FCT Police Detain Officers Over ICPC Chairman Extortion

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested and detained four police officers accused of extorting ₦53,000 from ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an unlawful stop-and-search operation in Abuja. The FCT Police said the incident happened after the officers set up an unauthorised checkpoint in the Banex area of Wuse.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi condemned the officers, describing them as “th+eves” who were unfit to wear the police uniform. According to him, investigations revealed that the officers abandoned their assigned duty posts, gathered at the location, and carried out the illegal operation without knowing they had stopped the ICPC Chairman.

Sanusi explained that the officers forced Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN) to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) operator. They also made him pay the transaction charges before sharing 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,” he said.

The commissioner called the group “a gang of criminals” and said they fled after the incident. The command later declared them wanted before arresting their leader, whose confession led investigators to the remaining suspects. “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,” Sanusi said.

Sanusi also repeated that the Inspector-General of Police has banned officers from randomly searching citizens’ mobile phones during patrols. “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. He encouraged the public to report police misconduct and police extortion, assuring that every officer found guilty would face appropriate disciplinary action.

Could stricter enforcement and quicker reporting help reduce police extortion in Nigeria?