Extortion: We’ve recovered N10m from erring policemen in Bayelsa — IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has revealed that the Force has successfully recovered N10 million allegedly extorted from a group of young Nigerians by four officers in Bayelsa State.

The officers, identified as ASP Emmanuel Ubong and Inspectors Nse Okon, Adiewere Collins, and Kuromare Marine, allegedly coerced their victims into surrendering the sum. In a statement issued on Friday on behalf of the IGP, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the sum was recovered thanks to the intervention of the newly appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Zone 16, Adebola Hamzat.

Addressing the incident, Adejobi noted that the detained officers will undergo an orderly room trial. 

He added that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into corruption and misconduct allegations within the force, specifically condemning extortion by officers in various parts of the country, including the Zone 16 Zonal Headquarters in Yenagoa.

According to him, IGP Egbetokun also reassured the public of the Force’s commitment to accountability.

The statement reads, “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.

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“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 an 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.”