Police arrest officers over alleged extortion of traveller in Imo

The Imo police command has arrested some of its personnel for allegedly extorting Victor Agunwah, a traveller.

Agunwah had lodged a complaint before Rabiu Hussaini, Imo commissioner of police, against the officers who allegedly extorted N60,000 from him through a point of sale (POS) machine.

The victim also alleged that the officers assaulted him and other occupants of his vehicle before intimidating him into transferring the money to one of them.

In a statement on Wednesday, the police commissioner said the suspects have been arrested and detained at the police headquarters for disciplinary action.

Hussaini said the erring officers will also face orderly room trial.

He, however, did not reveal the identity of the officers involved.

“The Imo Police command has commenced investigations into a report making the rounds online where police personnel were alleged to have extorted N60,000 from one Victor Agunwah travelling from Sam Mbakwe Airport to his home town in Mbaise,” the statement reads.

“The CP, while condemning the incident, confirmed that the police officers have been identified, arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Department (SCIID), where they will be made to face disciplinary action.

“The command has established contact with the victim through his cell phone and he is currently cooperating with the command in seeing that he gets justice.

“The CP, while commending the good people of Imo, assured them of the command’s commitment, under his watch, to ensuring that no police officer found in corrupt practices is spared.”

The police commissioner also said the outcome of the investigation and trial will be made public.