The authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have ordered immediate disciplinary measures against five officers who forcibly collected N3million from a man last week in Cross River State.
The order was given by Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 6 Calabar, Jonathan Towuru via a statement on Monday, noting that the culprits should be disciplined and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
Towuru said the five officers had been taken into custody and investigation commenced, adding that the zone would never tolerate any criminality among officers.
Recall that the police officers attached to the zone, while on patrol along Ikom-Calabar highway, were alleged to have indulged in corrupt practices and unprofessional conduct.
In recent times, there have been loud complaints by motorists and other highway users of intimidation and extortions by policemen at the innumerable checkpoints.
The statement said, “The 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 a 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.
