Police Repay $3000 Extorted by Rivers Cops to Abia Travelers

The Rivers State Police Command has returned a sum of $3000 (about N1.2 million) extorted from two Abia travelers by some rogue cops in the state.

The victims, Mr. Nwoke and Mr. Akujobi, were traveling from Port Harcourt to Aba when they were stopped and searched by the police officers.

The incident occurred on Monday, January 21, 2024, at the Rumuokoro axis of the East-West Road in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The police officers, who were not in uniform and did not have any identification, demanded that the travelers pay a sum of $3000 for their release.

The travelers, who were in possession of the said amount, handed it over to the officers in fear of their lives.

However, they later reported the incident to the Abia State Police Command, which promptly contacted the Rivers State Police Command.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the police officers involved were indeed from the Rivers State Police Command.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mukan, ordered the immediate arrest of the officers and their immediate return of the extorted money.

In a statement released by the Rivers State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police apologized to the victims and assured the public that the rogue officers would be dealt with according to the law.

He also urged the public to report any further incidents of police misconduct to the appropriate authorities.

This incident is a rare display of police accountability and transparency in Nigeria, a country where police misconduct is often swept under the rug.

It is a positive development that should be commended and encouraged.