Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone Six Calabar, Jonathan Towuru, has ordered disciplinary action and prosecution for the five policemen who forcibly extorted three million Naira from a man at gunpoint last week.
Towuru emphasized that this action will serve as a deterrent to others.
In a statement dated July 1, 2024, and signed by SP Nelson Okpabi, the Zonal PRO, Towuru announced that the five officers have been taken into custody and an investigation has begun, reiterating that the zone will not tolerate any criminal behavior among its officers.
It was reported that police officers from the zone, while patrolling the Ikom-Calabar highway, engaged in corrupt practices and unprofessional conduct.
Recently, there have been numerous complaints from motorists and other highway users about intimidation and extortion by policemen at various checkpoints.
The statement read, “The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6 headquarters Calabar, condemns the unprofessional conduct of the policemen who allegedly abducted and extorted N3,000,000 from an individual last week.
“The AIG has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter to uncover the facts behind the allegations for appropriate disciplinary measures to be taken.
“The crime and criminality zero-tolerance AIG vowed to ensure that proper disciplinary actions are taken against the erring officers to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The Zone will not tolerate any criminal activity among officers responsible for crime prevention and order maintenance.”
The statement also mentioned that the results of the investigation and the disciplinary measures, including orderly trial and possible prosecution, would be made public in due course.