The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has detained four police officers accused of extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an alleged unauthorized stop-and-search operation in Abuja.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the development while briefing journalists on Monday, stating that the officers had abandoned their assigned duty posts and established an illegal checkpoint in the Banex area of Wuse.
According to Sanusi, the officers stopped Dr. Aliyu's vehicle and allegedly compelled him to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) operator, including transaction charges, without knowing his identity as the head of the anti-corruption agency.
Preliminary investigations, the commissioner said, indicated that the suspects were part of a group allegedly involved in extorting motorists at various locations across the city.
Sanusi explained that police authorities launched an investigation after receiving reports of the incident. The alleged leader of the group was subsequently declared wanted and later arrested. Information obtained during interrogation reportedly led to the arrest of the other three officers.
The commissioner described the conduct of the officers as a violation of police regulations and assured the public that disciplinary procedures had commenced. He added that the officers could face dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force if found culpable.
Sanusi also reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police prohibiting indiscriminate searches of citizens' mobile phones during patrols and stop-and-search operations.
He urged residents of the FCT to report incidents involving extortion, harassment, or unlawful phone searches by security personnel, assuring that complaints would be investigated and offending officers sanctioned where necessary.
The FCT Police Command said the action against the officers reflects its commitment to internal accountability, professional policing, and efforts to rebuild public trust in law enforcement institutions.
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