Six police officers arrested a suspected ₦200,000 extortion racket against a trader in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 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 detained after video of the incident circulated widely online. In the recording, the victim’s wife narrated how her husband, a drinks seller, was allegedly harassed, handcuffed and forced to hand over his money after being stopped by police while returning from the Relief Market in Onitsha, where he had gone to buy drinks on his bus.

The incident reportedly occurred at the weekend around the busy Upper Iweka axis along the Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway.

In a viral video, the victim’s wife said officers stopped her husband under the Upper Iweka flyover and asked for his vehicle documents. He explained that he had issued the necessary documents, which were confirmed to be valid and complete.

Despite this, officers allegedly detained him, confiscated the vehicle documents and asked him to transfer ₦500,000. According to his statement, the trader begged them and eventually transferred ₦200,000 through a PoS operator to avoid being detained.

The payment was allegedly made through a PoS operator located in Okpoko area of ​​Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State.

A voiceover accompanying the video further states that officers take victims to PoS operators to facilitate transfers, and claims that similar payments are often coerced 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 spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered the detention of the six officers while investigations continue.

Ikenga said those involved included two AKPs and four Inspectors.

He also said money allegedly collected from victims had been returned, indicating serious misconduct by officers.

The statement read in part, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the detention of six officers allegedly involved in the incident pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

“The officers include two Assistant Police Inspectors and four Police Inspectors. Meanwhile, senior officers involved in the incident have been questioned, while statements from other ranks involved have been taken into account in accordance with established Police investigation procedures.

“The Command has also initiated steps to arrest suspected POS operators in Onitsha, whose involvement suggests a possible conspiracy in the incident.

“Furthermore, through the Police Divisional Officer, Okpoko, the Command invites and awaits the victims involved in the complaint to provide additional testimony to assist the investigation and guide further disciplinary action.”

He assured the public that his command was treating the matter with seriousness and promised that more information would be provided as the investigation progressed.