Victims Speak On Ordeal With Accused Police Officers Paraded Over Extortion Of N6.5m

The victims of alleged extortion of 6.5 million naira by Police Officers who were paraded by the Rivers State Police Command on Monday 4th,September,2023 has narrated their ordeal to Journalists.

Promise Patrick one of the victims who spoke on behalf of others said on 31st July 2023, the Police officers took them from Ikiri junction, Omoku.

Mr. Patrick said while he was driving, the Police Officers who are six in number and heavily armed double crossed them(victims).

Mr. Patrick explained that from Omoku, The officers took them to numerous places, also from Bayelsa state to Delta state.

He disclosed that they slept on the way at Ugelli in Delta state Till day break to the other day .

The victim of alleged extortion by the Police Officer revealed that at Delta state, the Police Officers took 2 million naira from one of the victim and took 4.5million naira from him(Patrick) making it total of 6.5million naira.

Meanwhile a Human Rights Advocate, Prince Wiro who is also the National Coordinator of Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign who followed up the case has given more insight on how the Police officers were arrested.

Mr. Wiro stated that when the victims reported to him, he worked on certain clues the Police Officers who allegedly extorted the victims left in the process.

He said from the clues, the name, picture and force Identification number of one of the officers was gotten.
Mr. Wiro said he took the victims to the office of the Rivers State Public Relations Officer where the clues were given to the Police and the victims made their statement.

The Rights Advocate disclosed that through investigation, one of the Police Officer was arrest and his arrest led to the arrest of three other officers.

Mr. Wiro also revealed that identification parade has been conducted at the tactical unit where the officers are being detained and three of the victims identified the officers.

Mr. Wiro commended the Rivers Police Command especially the office of the Public Relation Officer for the arrest of the officers who are serving in neighboring state and called on the Police Authority to ensure Justice is done to all parties in the matter to serve as deterrent to others who may want to involve in extortion and unprofessional conducts.

Recall that the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Emeka had on Monday paraded four of the officers for alleged extortion.