Alleged Extortion Of Six Point Five Million Naira :Victims Narrate Ordeal With Accused Police Officers

 

By

Awajis George 

Victims of alleged extortion of six point five million naira by Police Officers who were paraded by the Rivers State Police Command on Monday 4th,September,2023 has narrated their ordeal to Newsmen.

 One of the victims, Promise Patrick who spoke on behalf of others said  on 31st July 2023, the Police officers intercepted them from Ikiri junction Omoku, while he was driving, the Officers who were six in number and heavily armed  double crossed them.

Mr. Patrick explained that from Omoku, the officers  took them to numerous places,also from Bayelsa  to Delta state.

He disclosed that they slept on the way at Ugelli in Delta state till the following day .

The victim of alleged extortion by the Police Officer revealed that at Delta state,the Police Officers  took  2 million naira from one of the  victim and took 4.5million naira from him(Patrick) making it total of 6.5million naira.

Meanwhile a Human Rights Advocate, Prince Wiro who is also the National Coordinator, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign who followed up the case has given more insight on how the Police officers were arrested.

Mr. Wiro stated that when the victims reported to him, he worked on certain clues the Police Officers who allegedly extorted the victims left in the process.

He said from the clues,the name,picture and force Identification number of one of the officers was gotten.

Mr Wiro said he took the victims to the office of the Rivers State Public Relations Officer where the clues were given to the Police and the victims made their statement.

The Rights Advocate disclosed that through investigation, one of the Police Officer was arrest and his arrest led to the arrest of three other officers.

He also revealed that identification parade has been conducted at the tactical unit where the officers were been detained and three of the victims identified the officers.

Mr.Wiro commended the Rivers Police Command especially the office of the Public Relation Officer for  the arrest of the officers who are serving in neighbouring state and called on the Police Authority to ensure Justice is done to all parties in the matter to serve as deterrent to others who may want to involve in extortion and unprofessional conducts.