By Osaretin Osadebamwen
Four police officers attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have landed in detention after they allegedly extorted ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an unauthorised stop-and-search operation in Abuja.
The officers were arrested following an investigation launched by the FCT Police Command after the alleged incident, which reportedly occurred at an illegal checkpoint mounted around the Banex area in Wuse, Abuja. Authorities said the officers are currently in custody and undergoing disciplinary procedures.
FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi, who disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday, said preliminary investigations revealed that the officers allegedly abandoned their assigned duty posts and converged at the Banex axis, where they mounted an unauthorised checkpoint to extort motorists.
According to Sanusi, the officers stopped Dr. Aliyu without recognising that he was the chairman of the nation’s anti-corruption agency. He alleged that they compelled him to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, pay the associated transaction charges, and then shared the money among themselves.
The commissioner described the officers’ conduct as criminal, unprofessional and inconsistent with the ethics of the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that any officer found culpable would face disciplinary measures in line with police regulations, including possible dismissal.
Sanusi added that the command immediately commenced investigations after the incident came to its attention. He said the officers were initially declared wanted before investigators arrested the alleged gang leader, whose arrest subsequently led to the detention of the three other suspects.
Sanusi condemned the officers’ actions, describing them as criminal, unprofessional and contrary to the ethics and standards of the Nigeria Police Force. He said any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action, including possible dismissal.
He further disclosed that the command immediately launched an investigation after the incident was reported. According to him, the officers were initially declared wanted before investigators arrested the alleged gang leader, whose arrest led to the detention of the remaining suspects.
The commissioner assured Nigerians that all officers found responsible would be sanctioned in accordance with police regulations, stressing that misconduct and corruption would not be tolerated within the command.
Sanusi also reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) prohibiting officers from carrying out indiscriminate searches of citizens’ mobile phones during patrols.
He advised residents not to comply with unlawful demands for roadside phone searches and encouraged anyone subjected to extortion, harassment or other forms of police misconduct to report such incidents through police emergency lines or official complaint channels.
The commissioner reaffirmed the FCT Police Command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability and restoring public confidence by ensuring that erring officers are identified and punished.
