Edo Police Dismiss Five Officers Over Extortion and Harassment Syndicate
The Edo State Police Command has taken decisive action by dismissing five of its serving officers following serious allegations of involvement in a criminal syndicate responsible for harassment, abduction, and extortion of residents in Benin City. This development was officially announced in a press statement released by the Command's Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, on Monday in Benin, highlighting a major breakthrough in combating criminal elements impersonating law enforcement.
Details of the Criminal Network
According to the statement, the syndicate comprised ten members, including discharged police officers, Point of Sale (POS) operators, and bus drivers. The suspects were identified as Goodluck Jaja (POS Operator), ASP Bonny Onajite, Inspector Ehubarieme Wisdom, Inspector Arebame God's Power, Corporal Mordi Philip, Destiny Emmanuel (a dismissed police corporal), Corporal Okon Elvis, Samuel Nicholas (mini bus driver), and Etim Bright (mini bus driver). The group allegedly operated along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they would unlawfully stop unsuspecting citizens, forcefully transport them around various roads within Benin City, and then take them to POS operators to fraudulently extort money under duress.
Investigation and Dismissal
Disturbed by the gravity of these allegations, the Commissioner of Police for Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, ordered a discreet and intelligence-driven investigation into the matter. Through sustained surveillance, technical intelligence, and coordinated operations by command operatives, the criminal network was successfully busted. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, including both serving and dismissed police personnel, had formed a well-organized criminal syndicate responsible for a series of serious crimes, including abduction and extortion of innocent citizens. They exploited police equipment to deceive victims and carried out their operations with impunity, thereby tarnishing the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.
The serving personnel involved have been dismissed from the force. Upon the conclusion of these processes and the ongoing investigation, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face the full weight of the law. The Command has also called on all victims who may have encountered or fallen prey to this organized criminal gang to come forward and assist the police with useful information to aid further investigation and prosecution.
Warning to POS Operators
Furthermore, the Edo State Police Command issued a strong warning to all POS operators and merchants to be wary of any individuals, including those in police uniform, who attempt to use their facilities for unlawful transactions or extortion. Any POS operator found complicit in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. This move aims to curb the misuse of financial services in criminal activities and protect the public from further exploitation.
This incident underscores the ongoing efforts by the police to maintain integrity and combat corruption within its ranks, while also addressing public concerns over safety and trust in law enforcement agencies in Edo State.
