Nigerian police refunds ₦834,000 extorted funds, sanctions 17 officers

The Nigerian Police yesterday said it has returned the sum of ₦834,000 extorted by its officers from members of the public between July and September.

This was made known through a statement by the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) of the Force.

According to the statement, which was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Jimoh Ibrahim, the Force also sanctioned 17 police officers, including the suspension of an Assistant Superintendent of Police in Ikorodu, Lagos State, during the period for “corrupt practices”.

The statement reads in part: “In the pursuit of implementing the ‘Change Begins with Me’ Campaign of the Federal Government and in line with the desire of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, in bringing an end to impunity, the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit in Q3 2017 recovered and returned a total sum of ₦834,000 extorted money to members of the public.

“Sixteen police officers were also sanctioned for various acts of professional misconduct during the period under review (July-September, 2017).

“The Police Service Commission equally approved the suspension from service of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Bayo Obadiah attached to Area Command Ikorodu, Lagos over corrupt practices.”

The PCRRU said it arrested two terror suspects in Akoko Area of Ondo State and recovered the sum of ₦100,000 extorted from a woman in Kano State, adding that 764 complaints were received in the period under review