No fewer than five officers of the Edo State Police Command have been dismissed following public complaints accusing them of harassment, abduction, and extortion.
This was revealed in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, who explained that the criminal network consisted of 10 individuals, including dismissed officers, POS operators, and commercial drivers.
The suspects were identified as Goodluck Jaja, ASP Bonny Onajite, Inspector Ehubarieme Wisdom, Inspector Arebame God’s Power, Corporal Mordi Philip, Destiny Emmanuel, Corporal Okon Elvis, Samuel Nicholas, and Etim Bright.
According to the statement, “The Edo State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, wishes to inform the general public of a major breakthrough in the fight against criminal elements disguising as law enforcement officers to perpetrate heinous crimes within Benin City and its environs.
“The command has, in recent times, received several complaints from members of the public alleging harassment, abduction, and extortion by individuals posing as police officers.
“These suspects reportedly operate along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they unlawfully stop unsuspecting citizens, forcefully convey them around various parts of Benin City, and eventually take them to Point of Sale operators to fraudulently extort money from them under duress.”
Concerned by the severity of the allegations, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika ordered a covert, intelligence-led investigation.
Through surveillance and coordinated operations, the syndicate was eventually dismantled.
Preliminary findings showed that the group, which included both serving and dismissed police personnel, carried out organised abductions and extortion, using police gear to deceive victims and operate without restraint, thereby damaging the image of the force.
Ikoedem added, “Those who are serving personnel have been dismissed. Upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face the full weight of the law.
“The Command hereby calls on all victims who may have encountered or fallen prey to this organised criminal gang to come forward and assist the police with useful information that will aid further investigation and prosecution.
“Furthermore, the Edo State Police Command uses this medium to strongly warn all POS operators and merchants to be wary of any individual, including persons in police uniform, who attempt to use their facilities for unlawful transactions or extortion. Any POS operator found to be complicit in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”
The command reaffirmed its commitment to restoring public trust and ensuring accountability, stressing that no one is above the law.
