The Nigeria Police Force said the Monitoring Unit of the Inspector-General of Police had commenced an investigation following a petition by a Delta State-based rights advocate, Israel Joe, over alleged extortion of N80 million from a surveillance contractor, Atubi Davison by an Assistant Commissioner of Police who heads the State Criminal Investigation Department and two other officers.
The police have stated that they are presently conducting interrogations with the officers who, as per the complainant’s account, promised to give N30 million to IG Egbetokun and N16 million to the Rivers State CP, Polycarp Abonyi, from the illicit gains. The complainant has also asserted that the officers took a gold necklace from Davidson, valued at N4 million.
In an official communication issued yesterday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasized that in order to ensure fairness and impartiality, the person who filed the complaint will be contacted and encouraged to come forward and cooperate by providing additional pertinent information regarding the incident.
In the petition dated September 21, which was officially stamped by the office of the Inspector General, Joe reported that on September 14, 2023, the police raided Davison’s residence on Peace Avenue Road, Egbelu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. They conducted a thorough search and uncovered a combination of local and foreign currencies amounting to N100 million. This money was intended for compensating individuals responsible for safeguarding pipeline facilities in the Niger Delta.
The activist mentioned that the police confiscated the money, two vehicles, and a gold necklace. They also apprehended four individuals who were present at Davison’s residence, including a female. Despite an investigation confirming that the funds were designated for securing an oil facility, the money has not been returned.
Joe said, “I met with the Assistant Commissioner, State CIID, and asked him what are you investigating the man for, the ACP told me that is an alleged kidnap case that he doesn’t know if somebody will come and report that his money is missing or is a ransom money, that all they need to do is to see how they can manage the situation that the money is about N100 million.
“A major part of the money is in dollars. I told the ACP they should charge him (Davison) to court if the man committed any offence. When they saw that calls were coming from different angles, they called us – called the father that they were going to release the two cars to him and any amount they release to him (Davison), he should manage it, that they are going to send N30 million to the IG, N16 million to the state Commissioner of Police.
“At the end of the day, they (the policemen) released the two cars, they released the Chevrolet and Toyota Camry car to him, released only N12 million to him and took away a whopping N80 million along with his gold chain valued about N4 million, the two plasma Television, shoes and clothes they carried from his house.”
Continuing, he said, “The IPO even told us to leave Port Harcourt that criminals may come for us, that we should leave Rivers State. I know one CP called him (AC) and he confirmed that they took away almost N100 million from the man’s house. They released only 12 million naira for the man.
“The 12 million was in dollars. The other people who were arrested with the man bailed themselves, some with one million naira, two million naira, just like that.
”I am calling for a proper investigation. The money should be refunded and all officers involved should be brought to book. If the surveillance workers are not paid, people will go and break the pipeline and the man has nothing to do and it will tell on the economy of the Federal Government of Nigeria”.
In response to the recent events, as conveyed in an official communication on Monday night, Adejobi stated, “Following allegations of unprofessionalism, kidnapping, name-dropping, extortion, and illicit enrichment against some officers of the Rivers State Police Command, and the swift intervention of the acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, the officers fingered in a petition by one Israel Joe on behalf of one Mr Atubi Davison are being interrogated by the IGP Monitoring Unit as part of ongoing investigation to unravel the allegations and ascertain its veracity for further necessary action.
“As previously stated, the Nigeria Police Force views these allegations with the utmost seriousness and is fully committed to conducting a comprehensive and transparent investigation. To ensure fairness and impartiality, the complainant who made these allegations will be contacted to come forward and cooperate by providing more relevant information regarding the matter.
“The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, cautions the public about fraudulent individuals who always attempt to exploit the reputation of the Inspector General of Police and other senior officers for personal gain.
He advises the public to be vigilant and confirm the legitimacy of individuals purporting to act on behalf of Senior Police Officers engaging in suspicious activities. If such instances occur, it is recommended to promptly report them to the Nigerian Police Force, the Force Public Relations Officer, or the Complaint Response Unit desk in any state across the Federation.