Four officers of the Nigeria police Command in Edo State Command have been arrested for their alleged involvement in extortion in the State, following a renewed onslaught against criminal elements disguising as law enforcement officers to perpetrate heinous crimes in Benin City.
The quartet identified as ASP Bonny Paul Onajite,
Inspector Ehubarieme Wisdom ‘M’, Inspector Arebame God’s Power, ‘M’, Corporal Mordi Philip ‘M’, Corporal Okon Elvis ‘M’, were amongst the 10 criminal suspects, arrested by the police.
The male suspects were arrested on Monday alongside a dismissed Police Corporal, Destiny Emmanuel and two male mini bus drivers identified as
Samuel Nicholas and Etim Bright on Teboga axis off Aduwawa in Uhunwmode Local Government Area of the State by the Commissioner of police, CP Monday Agbonika.
The spokesperson of the police Command in the State, ASP Eno Ikoedem disclosed on Monday in a statement, stated that nemises also caught up with a Point of Sale, PoS Operator, Goodluck Jaja ‘M’, a member of the syndicate behind unlawful stop-and searching of unsuspecting citizens and forcefully convey them around various roads within the City.
The arrest of the suspects followed several complaints from members of the public received by the Command, alleging harassment, abduction, and extortion by individuals posing as Edo police officers.
The statement called on victims of extortion to come up report to the Command, while assuring that the suspects will have their date in court after undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials of the police.
“Disturbed by the gravity of these allegations, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, immediately ordered a discreet and intelligence-driven investigation into the matter.
“Through sustained surveillance, technical intelligence, and coordinated operations by operatives of the Command, the criminal network was successfully nipped”.
It said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects, including some serving and dismissed police personnel, formed a well-organized criminal syndicate responsible for a series of serious crimes, including abduction and extortion of innocent citizens.
“They exploited police accoutrements to deceive victims and carried out their operations with impunity, thereby bringing the name of the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute.
“Those that are serving personnel are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials.
“Upon conclusion of these processes and the ongoing investigation, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face the full weight of the law.
“The Command hereby calls on all victims who may have encountered or fallen prey to this organised criminal gang to come forward and assist the Police with useful information that will aid further investigation and prosecution.
“Furthermore, the Edo State Police Command uses this medium to strongly warn all POS operators and merchants to be wary of any individual, including persons in police uniform, who attempt to use their facilities for unlawful transactions or extortion.
“Any PoS Operator found to be complicit in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly”, according to the police statement, which further confirmed the recovery of two vehicles and PoS machines that recovered from the suspects.
