The Edo State Police Command has ordered an immediate and full-scale investigation into an allegation that some police officers attached to the Okpella Police Division extorted ₦1 million from some young men.
The allegation followed a video circulating on social media in which the alleged victims claimed that police officers arrested them, falsely accused them of being members of a cult group, and allegedly demanded and collected ₦1 million before releasing them, POG reports.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Patrick Daaor, directed that the allegation be thoroughly investigated.
The police command said the officers allegedly involved in the incident had been identified and summoned to report at the Command Headquarters.
The development followed the circulation of the video in which the young men narrated their alleged experience, accusing the officers of arresting them on suspicion of cultism and demanding money for their release.
The command said the officers would be required to provide explanations as part of the investigation.
The Police Public Relations Officer also invited the alleged victims to appear before the investigating team and give their accounts of the incident.
Daaor said allegations of police misconduct, extortion and abuse of power would be treated seriously by the command.
He assured members of the public that any officer found culpable after the investigation would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner also assured residents that genuine complaints against police personnel would not be swept under the carpet.
The command urged members of the public who experience unprofessional conduct, harassment, misconduct or extortion by police officers to report such incidents.
It advised victims to make use of the Complaint Response Unit, where their complaints would be received and referred for appropriate action.
The police command stressed that the investigation would establish the facts surrounding the allegation and determine whether the officers involved committed any wrongdoing.
