Edo Police arrest 5 officers, 3 civilians over abduction, POS extortion ring

BENIN CITY — The Edo State Police Command has arrested five of its personnel and three civilians over their alleged involvement in a criminal syndicate specialising in abduction and extortion of residents in Benin City.

The suspects included a dismissed police corporal, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, and two commercial minibus drivers, who were reportedly operating along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa.

Police said the group posed as law enforcement officers, unlawfully stopping unsuspecting victims, forcefully conveying them around the city, and coercing them into withdrawing money through POS operators.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed that the arrests followed a series of public complaints and intelligence-led operations ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika.

She explained that investigations revealed the suspects operated a well-organised network, using police uniforms and accoutrements to deceive victims.

Those arrested were identified as Goodluck Jaja (POS operator), ASP Bonny Paul Onajite, Inspector Ehubarieme Wisdom, Inspector Arebame God’s Power, Corporal Mordi Philip, Destiny Emmanuel (dismissed corporal), Corporal Okon Elvis, Samuel Nicholas (minibus driver), and Etim Bright (minibus driver).

Ikoedem said the serving officers are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials, while all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

The command urged members of the public to report similar incidents through its Complaint Response Unit and Public Complaints Bureau hotlines.

Police authorities reiterated their commitment to accountability and warned that misconduct within the force would not be tolerated.