The Anambra State Police Command has detained six police officers attached to the Okpoko Police Division in Onitsha over the alleged extortion of N200,000 from a civilian.
The officers were detained following the circulation of a viral video in which the wife of the victim accused the policemen of harassing and forcing her husband, a drink seller, to transfer money to them through a Point of Sale operator.
The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend around the busy Upper Iweka axis of the Onitsha–Awka–Enugu Expressway.
According to the woman in the video, her husband had gone to Relief Market in Onitsha to purchase drinks and was returning in his bus when he was stopped by the officers under the Upper Iweka flyover.
She alleged that the officers demanded the vehicle’s documents, which her husband presented and were confirmed to be valid.
Despite this, she claimed the officers questioned why the bus was painted white and subsequently directed him to meet their superior officer inside their patrol vehicle.
The woman further alleged that when her husband approached the vehicle, he was surrounded by the officers, handcuffed and had his phone seized before being taken to an undisclosed location.
She said the officers then accused him of being a thief and allegedly demanded N500,000 to secure his release.
According to her, the victim, who became frightened during the encounter, was eventually compelled to transfer N200,000 through a PoS operator allegedly invited by the officers before he was allowed to leave.
Another voice in the video alleged that the officers accompanied the victim to the PoS operator, where the money was transferred into an undisclosed account, claiming that the officers had allegedly subjected other victims to similar treatment.
Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the command had launched an investigation after intercepting the video.
Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered the detention of the officers pending the outcome of investigations.
He disclosed that the detained officers include two Assistant Superintendents of Police and four Inspectors.
The police spokesperson added that the money allegedly collected from the victim had been recovered and returned, describing the incident as a serious case of unprofessional conduct.
“The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the detention of the six officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of ongoing investigations,” the statement read.
“The officers include two Assistant Superintendents of Police and four Inspectors of Police.
“Meanwhile, senior officers connected to the incident have been queried, while statements from other ranks involved have been taken under caution in line with established police investigative procedures.”
Ikenga added that the command had also commenced efforts to arrest the PoS operator allegedly involved in the transaction, noting that the development suggested a possible conspiracy.
He said the command had invited the victim to come forward to provide additional testimony to aid the ongoing investigation and possible disciplinary action.
The police assured members of the public that the matter was being treated with the seriousness it deserved and promised to provide further updates as investigations progressed.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
