Police ‘Move To Identify Officers Who Operated Like Kidnappers In Anambra, Ordered Motorist To Ask Loved Ones For N5Million’ | #NwokeukwuMascot

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Nigeria Police Launch Investigation into Alleged Extortion by Officers in Anambra | #NwokeukwuMascot

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The Anambra State Police Command has begun efforts to identify police officers from the Onitsha Area Command accused of extorting N810,000 from a motorist. This action follows allegations brought to light by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu on his social media account, where he shared a voice note from the victim.

The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, recounted his experience, stating, "I was heading to my mechanic on Friday to fix my car when I was stopped by police at Upper Iweka under the flyover. They inspected my documents and claimed they were fake, including my doctor's report for tinted glasses."

Despite the victim's assertion that he had been using the doctor's report since 2022, the officers accused him of using a fake document.

The situation escalated when three of the officers began searching his car and allegedly planted marijuana in it. "It felt like an act of kidnapping. They confiscated my phone and demanded N5 million, threatening to take me to Abuja if I didn't comply."

The victim explained that the officers initially demanded N5 million but later reduced it to N2 million. After allowing him to use his phone, he managed to inform a contact, who then brought a lawyer to the scene. The lawyer negotiated with the officers, falsely claiming the victim agreed to pay N800,000.

"They forced me to make a video admitting to being a smoker and a fraudster," the victim continued. "One officer, in civilian clothes, escorted me to withdraw N900,000. They monitored my bank balance through my phone's app. When I managed to call someone for help, the officers became furious and threatened my life."

Eventually, the lawyer facilitated a payment of N800,000 through a POS operator, after which the victim was released along with his car.

In response to the incident, the Anambra State Police Command issued a statement through its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga. The statement confirmed that steps are being taken to identify the officers involved.

Listen to Audio of the Victim below 👇🏽 

"The Command has escalated the information to the Area Commander in Onitsha for necessary action," Ikenga said. "We also invite the victim to provide more details at the Police Command Headquarters in Awka to aid our investigation."

The police command emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring that further details would be communicated as the investigation progresses.