Four police officers detained over alleged extortion of ICPC chairman in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has detained four police officers accused of extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an unauthorised stop-and-search operation in Abuja.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja, saying the officers had been taken into custody and were undergoing disciplinary procedures.

According to Sanusi, preliminary investigations revealed that the officers allegedly abandoned their assigned duty posts, converged around the Banex area in Wuse and mounted an illegal checkpoint where they extorted money from motorists.

The commissioner alleged that the officers stopped Dr. Aliyu without recognising him and compelled him to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, in addition to paying the transaction charges, before allegedly sharing the money among themselves. He described the officers’ conduct as criminal and inconsistent with the standards expected of members of the Nigeria Police Force, adding that they would face appropriate disciplinary measures if found culpable.

Sanusi said the command immediately launched an investigation after the incident came to its attention, explaining that the officers were declared wanted before the arrest of the alleged gang leader led investigators to the remaining suspects. He assured that all officers found responsible would be sanctioned in line with police regulations, including dismissal where applicable.

The commissioner also reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police prohibiting officers on patrol from conducting indiscriminate searches of citizens’ mobile phones. He advised members of the public not to submit to unlawful roadside phone searches and urged anyone confronted with such demands to report the officers through police emergency lines or other official complaint channels.

Sanusi further encouraged residents to promptly report incidents of extortion, harassment and other forms of police misconduct, assuring that the command remains committed to identifying erring officers and holding them accountable.