From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
Despite efforts by the Nigeria Police Force in Nigeria in fighting corruption and extortion in the force five policemen are in police custody in Cross River State.
This was disclosed to media representatives in Calabar by the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone Aix Calabar, Jonathan Towuru.
According to him, the AIG has ordered that the five policemen who have allegedly forcibly collected the sum of three million naira from a man last week to be disciplined and prosecuted.
Assistant Inspector General Towuru said such will serve as a deterrent to others who are habitual offenders in the force.
The AIG Zone six In a statement dated 1st July 2024, signed by SP Nelson Okpabi, the Zonal PRO, Towuru further said the five officers have been taken into custody and investigation commenced, adding that the zone will never tolerate any criminality among officers.
It would be recalled that police officers attached to the zone, while on patrol along the Ikom-Calabar highway, were alleged to have indulged in corrupt practices and unprofessional conduct.
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The statement said, “Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 headquarters Calabar frowns at the unprofessional conduct of the policemen alleged to have abducted and fraudulently extorted N3,000,000 from an individual last week.
“The AIG has ordered a high-powered investigation into the matter to uncover the facts behind the allegations for an informed disciplinary measure to be taken.
“The crime and criminality zero tolerant AIG vowed to ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken against the erring Officers to serve as deterrence to others.
“The Zone will not tolerate any criminality amongst officers that are saddled with the responsibility and crime prevention and order maintenance.”
The statement said that the outcome of the investigation and disciplinary measures, including orderly trial and possible prosecution, would be made known to the public in due course.
The zone warned any policeman found wanting to extort would face the one’s wrath.
