In a shocking twist of enforcement targeting the enforcer, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested four patrol officers for setting up an illegal checkpoint and extorting Nigeria’s top anti-corruption boss. The rogue operatives unknowingly picked the ultimate target, triggering a swift and severe clampdown from police leadership. We bring you the exclusive details from the Sooth News desk.
The four FCT police officers are now in custody after allegedly forcing the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), to part with ₦53,000. Oblivious to his identity, the rogue operatives pulled over the anti-graft czar at an unauthorized checkpoint in Abuja and hit him with an extortion demand, forcing him to withdraw cash from a nearby Point of Sale (POS) terminal before dividing the illicit proceeds among themselves.
FCT Police Commissioner Ahmed Sanusi revealed the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, fiercely condemning the operatives and branding them as “criminals” who have no place in the Nigeria Police Force, Sanusi explained that the officers willfully deserted their official duty posts, converging instead around Wuse’s Banex area to set up an illegal stop-and-search web aimed at extorting unsuspecting motorists.
The FCT Police Chief explained that the anti-corruption czar unknowingly drove into the trap, becoming the latest victim of the officers’ brazen shakedown.“They extorted the Chairman of the ICPC of ₦53,000. They took him to a POS, he withdrew the money, paid the charges and they shared the money among themselves,” CP Sanusi revealed.
Investigations revealed that the rogue operatives had formed an organized extortion syndicate, deliberately abandoning their assigned beats to prey on road users. Following a wave of public complaints, the FCT Command declared the suspects wanted, leading to the arrest of the alleged gang leader whose confession exposed the remaining three officers.
“We got all of them. We are going to make sure they are severely punished. Those that are going to be dismissed will definitely be dismissed,” CP Sanusi declared.
The police boss vehemently reiterated that patrol officers possess zero authority to stop citizens and search their mobile devices, emphasizing that the practice remains strictly outlawed by the Inspector-General of Police
“You cannot stop anybody on the road and ask the person to bring out his phone for search. If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don’t agree. Call the police emergency lines and we will ask them why,” Sanusi warned.
Reassuring FCT residents, Sanusi insisted that the command will aggressively hunt down, investigate, and purge any personnel caught engaging in extortion, illegal checkpoints, or misconduct.
Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustration
