The Rivers Police Command says it is looking into allegations that some of its officers kidnapped and extorted an N620,000 resident at gunpoint.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, the command’s Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the officers would face prosecution if found guilty.
The victim, known as Daniel, was allegedly seized by suspected policemen as he returned to his home in Port Harcourt about 9 p.m.
According to reports, the police officers battered and dragged the victim to a rural town outside the city before withdrawing N620,000 from his bank account with the assistance of a pos vendor accomplice.
Mr Iringe-Koko stated that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, was concerned by the reports and had ordered a thorough investigation to catch the corrupt cops.
“Our attention has been drawn to an alleged N620,000 extortion by some men dressed as police officers in mufti along Sani Abacha Road in Port Harcourt.”
“Nwonyi Emeka takes misconduct seriously and is concerned about the reported incident; as a result, an investigation is underway to prosecute the personnel who are found guilty,” she stated.
According to a police spokesperson, the commissioner of police has stated that he will never shield any employees who are proved to be guilty of any criminal offence in the state.
“As a result, no police officers involved in the crime will be prosecuted.”
“The affected person should come to the command headquarters on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt to report the incident so that we can find the perpetrators,” Mr Iringe-Koko said.