The Nigeria Police Force has arrested some officers of the Zone 16 Zonal Headquarters, Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, for extorting the sum of ₦10 million from some youths in the area.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed on Friday that the erring officers have been detained and subjected to orderly room trial.
The IGP, in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the extorted money has been recovered through the efforts of the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16.
The statement identified the erring officers as ASP Emmanuel Ubong, Inspector Nse Okon, Inspector Adiewere Collins, and Inspector Kuromare Marine.
Egbetokun vowed that under his watch, the Police could not condone such behaviours, and stringent punishment would be meted out to corrupt officers.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has condemned alleged extortions by some officers of the force in some areas within the country, most especially the extant case involving the officers of the Zone 16 Zonal Headquarters, Yenegoa, identified as ASP Emmanuel Ubong, Inspector Nse Okon, Inspector Adiewere Collins, and Inspector Kuromare Marine.
“The officers were alleged of extorting the sum of Ten Million Naira from a group of young Nigerians. The money has been recovered through the efforts of the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16, and the Officers have since been detained and subjected to orderly room trial.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun, maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any act of corruption and police misconduct, as the Force takes every allegation of extortion and abuse of power extremely seriously.
“The IGP has however reassured the general public that the force will continue to investigate all allegations levelled against erring officers of the Force thoroughly. In pursuit of restorative justice, the Inspector-General of Police has mandated severe consequences for any officer, no matter how highly ranked, found culpable, acting as a deterrent to those who may seek to compromise the integrity of the Force,” the statement reads.