Four policemen set up an illegal checkpoint, extorted N53,000 from the ICPC chairman via POS

Nemesis arrested four policemen on Monday after they allegedly abandoned their duty posts, and set up an illegal stop and search, where they extorted money from motorists in Abuja.

They allegedly extorted N53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Commission on Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN) without knowing who he was.

They were later arrested and detained by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command and have arrested and detained four police officers

FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development on Monday while briefing journalists in the Federal Capital Territory. He said the officers had been detained and were undergoing disciplinary procedures over the incident.

According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations showed that the officers allegedly abandoned their duty posts, gathered around the Banex area in Wuse, and set up illegal checkpoints where they reportedly extorted money from motorists.

Sanusi accused the officers of stopping Dr. Aliyu without recognizing him and forced him to withdraw ₦53,000 via a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, besides paying the associated transaction fees, before allegedly dividing the money among themselves.

He described the actions of the officers as criminal and inconsistent with the standards expected of members of the Nigerian Police Force, adding that they would face appropriate disciplinary action if found guilty.

The police commissioner said the command launched an investigation as soon as the incident came to his attention. He explained that the officer was declared a fugitive, while the arrest of the alleged ringleader then led investigators to other suspects.

Sanusi assured that the command will ensure that all those found responsible will be sanctioned in accordance with police regulations, including dismissal if applicable.

The Commissioner of Police also reiterated the Inspector General of Police’s direction prohibiting patrol officers from searching citizens’ cellphones carelessly.

He advised the public not to give in to unlawful demands to carry out roadside phone searches and urged anyone faced with such a request to report officers via the police hotline or other official complaint channels.

Sanusi further encouraged citizens to immediately report incidents of extortion, harassment and other forms of police misconduct, assuring that the command remains committed to identifying erring officers and holding them accountable.