The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has detained four police officers accused of extorting N53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an unauthorised stop and search operation in Abuja.
The officers allegedly carried out the operation without knowing the identity of their victim, prompting disciplinary action by the police.Four Police Officers Arrested Over Alleged Extortion FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi disclosed the incident while briefing journalists in Abuja.
According to him, the officers abandoned their assigned duty posts and assembled around the Banex area of Wuse, where they mounted an illegal checkpoint.Sanusi described the officers as individuals who had no place in the Nigeria Police Force, condemning their actions and confirming that they are currently in police custody.
ICPC Chairman Allegedly Forced to Withdraw MoneyThe police commissioner said the officers allegedly forced Dr Musa Aliyu to withdraw N53,000 from a Point of Sale (POS) operator during the encounter.
He added that the ICPC chairman was also made to pay the transaction charges before the officers allegedly shared the money among themselves. According to Sanusi, the officers were unaware that the individual they allegedly extorted was the chairman of Nigeria’s anti corruption agency.
Police Launch Investigation preliminary investigations revealed that the four officers allegedly left their various divisions and formed what the commissioner described as a criminal gang to conduct the illegal stop and search operation.
The FCT Police Command said the officers remain in detention while investigations continue. The command reiterated its commitment to tackling corruption and professional misconduct within the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that officers found guilty of misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the law.
