Police dismiss 5 officers in Edo, demote one over abduction, extortion
The Edo State Police Command has dismissed five of its officers and demoted another over alleged harassment, unlawful arrest, abduction, and extortion of members of the public in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the officers were found guilty after a thorough investigation and disciplinary proceedings during their orderly room trial.
She said the dismissed suspects were operating as an organised criminal network comprising serving police personnel, dismissed police personnel, commercial bus drivers, and civilian collaborators who systematically targeted innocent members of the public for abduction and extortion.
She said the dismissed officers had been operating around the Teboga axis, off Aduwawa, Benin City, where unsuspecting citizens were intercepted, forced into commercial buses under the guise of police operations, driven around various parts of the city, and subsequently compelled to withdraw money through Point-of-Sale operators before regaining their freedom.
Suspected bandits abduct five students in Ogun
UniJos suspends lectures over rising insecurity
According to her, Corporal Mordi Philip, Corporal Destiny Emmanuel, Corporal Uwatse Emmanuel, Corporal Okon Elvis, and Corporal Samuel David Obeten were dismissed from the police force.
She added that the dismissed officers would be charged in court for their alleged involvement in the criminal activities.
She also disclosed that Inspector Ehubariemen Wisdom, attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), had been demoted from the rank of inspector to sergeant.
“One Inspector Enahoro Nicholas, attached to Police Mobile Force Squadron 60 is currently at large and has been declared a deserter,” she said.
The spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to apprehend him and bring him to justice.
The police, however, warned Point-of-Sale operators and other members of the public against collaborating with criminal elements, stressing that anyone found aiding or facilitating extortion, fraudulent transactions, or the laundering of proceeds of crime would face the full weight of the law.
