Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone Six Calabar, Jonathan Towuru, has ordered the five policemen who forcibly collected three million Naira from a man last week at gunpoint to be disciplined and prosecuted.
Towuru said such will serve as a deterrent to others.
In a statement dated 1st July, 2024, signed by SP Nelson Okpabi, the Zonal PRO, Towuru said the five officers have been taken into custody and investigation commenced, adding that the zone will never tolerate any criminality among officers.
It would be recalled that police officers attached to the zone, while on patrol along Ikom-Calabar highway, were alleged to have indulged in corrupt practices and unprofessional conduct.
In recent times, there have been loud complaints by motorists and other highway users of intimidation and extortions by policemen at the innumerable checkpoints.
The statement said, “Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 headquarters Calabar frowns at the unprofessional conduct of the policemen alleged to have abducted and fraudulently extorted N3,000,000 from an individual last week.
“The AIG has ordered a high powered investigation into the matter to uncover the facts behind the allegations for an informed disciplinary measure to be taken.
“The crime and criminality zero tolerant AIG vowed to ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken against the erring Officers to serve as deterrence to others.
“The Zone will not tolerate any criminality amongst officers that are saddled with the responsibility and crime prevention and order maintenance.”
The statement said that the outcome of the investigation and disciplinary measures, including orderly trial and possible prosecution, would be made known to the public in due course.
