Four Police Officers Arrested for Extorting ₦53,000 From ICPC Chairman

• Four police officers have been detained by the FCT Police Command after they allegedly extorted ₦53,000 from ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu during an illegal stop-and-search operation in Abuja.

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 illegal stop-and-search operation in Abuja.

FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi disclosed the incident on Monday while briefing journalists, describing the officers as “thieves” who had no place in the Nigeria Police Force.

According to Sanusi, the officers abandoned their official duty posts and mounted an unauthorised checkpoint around the Banex area of Wuse, where they allegedly stopped and extorted the ICPC chairman without knowing his identity.

He said the officers forced Aliyu to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) operator, pay the transaction charges, and then shared the money among themselves.

Investigations revealed that the officers had formed a criminal gang operating illegal checkpoints to extort motorists across Abuja.

The police commissioner said the command declared the officers wanted before arresting their gang leader, whose confession led investigators to the remaining members of the syndicate.

Sanusi vowed that the officers would face severe disciplinary measures, including dismissal where necessary.

He also reminded the public that the Inspector-General of Police has prohibited officers from indiscriminately searching citizens’ mobile phones during patrols, urging residents to reject such unlawful demands and report erring officers through the police emergency lines.