The Anambra State Police Command has detained six officers attached to the Okpoko Police Division in Onitsha over allegations that they extorted ₦200,000 from a trader through a Point-of-Sale operator.
The officers were taken into custody after a video of the incident circulated widely online. In the footage, the wife of the victim narrated how her husband, a drink seller, was allegedly harassed, handcuffed and forced to part with money after being stopped by policemen while returning from Relief Market in Onitsha, where he had gone to purchase drinks with his bus.
The incident reportedly occurred over the weekend around the busy Upper Iweka axis along the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway.
In the viral video, the victim’s wife said the officers intercepted her husband beneath the Upper Iweka flyover and demanded the documents of his vehicle. She explained that he produced the necessary papers, which were confirmed to be valid and complete.
Despite this, the officers allegedly detained him, seized the vehicle documents and demanded that he transfer ₦500,000. According to her account, the trader pleaded with them and eventually transferred ₦200,000 through a PoS operator to avoid being taken into custody.
The payment was allegedly made through a PoS operator located in the Okpoko area of Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State.
A voice-over accompanying the video further alleged that the officers took the victim to the PoS operator to facilitate the transfer, claiming that similar payments were frequently forced from other motorists and traders in the area.
Responding to the controversy, the police command acknowledged the viral video and said an investigation had been launched.
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In a statement issued on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered the detention of the six officers while investigations continue.
Ikenga disclosed that those involved include two Assistant Superintendents of Police and four Inspectors.
He also said the money allegedly collected from the victim had been refunded, indicating serious misconduct by the officers.
The statement read in part, “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 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 the other ranks involved have been taken under caution in line with established Police investigative procedures.
“The Command has also initiated steps to arrest the alleged POS operator in Onitsha, whose involvement suggests possible conspiracy in the incident.
“Furthermore, through the Divisional Police Officer, Okpoko, the Command invites and awaits the victim involved in the complaint to come forward to provide additional testimony to aid the investigation and guide further disciplinary action.”
He assured members of the public that the command was handling the matter with the seriousness it deserves and promised that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
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