Delta: Police detain officers over alleged N2.5m extortion
The Delta State Police Command has launched an investigation into allegations that two officers attached to the Jesse Police Division extorted N2.5 million from a relative of a suspect.
The state Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, confirmed the development, following a viral video in which a woman accused the officers identified as Bright and Usman, alongside the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jesse Division, of demanding money to secure the release of her brother from custody.
According to the woman in the video, the officers allegedly extorted N2.5 million from her in exchange for the release of her brother, who was being held by the police.
Adesola explained that the woman’s younger brother, identified as Israel Onojeruo, was arrested after another suspect reportedly confessed to selling a firearm to him.
He added that the case has since been transferred to the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) for further investigation.
The commissioner said that after reviewing the video clip, the command directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of X-Squad to investigate the allegations against the officers involved.
He disclosed that the constable identified as Bright in the video has been detained at the command headquarters, while the DPO of the Jesse Police Division has been removed from office and redeployed to the command headquarters pending the outcome of the investigation.
Adesola noted that the removal of the DPO followed a series of complaints bordering on alleged extortion and unprofessional conduct from various quarters.
He assured that any officer found culpable after the investigation would be dealt with decisively in line with the provisions of the Police Act and relevant regulations, stressing that the command would not tolerate misconduct and would enforce discipline to serve as a deterrent to others.
