The Nigeria Police Force in Anambra State has detained six police officers attached to the Okpoko Police Division in Onitsha over allegations that they extorted a trader.
The action followed the circulation of a viral video online in which the wife of the victim narrated how her husband, a drink seller, was allegedly harassed and forced to pay money after he was stopped by the officers.
According to the woman, the incident occurred around the busy Upper Iweka area along the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway while her husband was returning from Relief Market where he had gone to buy drinks with his bus.
She explained that the officers stopped him and demanded the documents of his vehicle. Although the trader presented valid particulars, the policemen allegedly handcuffed him and demanded ₦500,000.
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After pleading with them, he was reportedly forced to transfer ₦200,000 through a PoS operator in the Okpoko area to avoid being detained.
Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered the detention of the six officers pending the outcome of an investigation.
He revealed that the officers involved include two Assistant Superintendents of Police and four Inspectors. Ikenga added that the money allegedly collected from the trader has been returned, describing the officers’ actions as unprofessional and unacceptable.
The command also disclosed that steps have been taken to arrest the PoS operator suspected to have assisted in the transaction.
Meanwhile, the victim has been invited to provide further information to aid the investigation.
Police authorities assured the public that the case is being treated seriously and promised that further updates would be made available as the investigation progresses.
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