Cofie Grace
The Kogi State Government has vowed to sanction the four policemen caught extorting the sum of N25,000 from an innocent traveller in the state.
According to a viral video over the weekend, the officers were seen harassing a young man before forcefully taking him to an ATM point, where they allegedly extorted the sum of N25,000.
The viral video also caught the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, who commanded the State Police Commissioner, CP Idrisu Dauda Dabban, to commence investigations.
The Kogi State Public Relations Officer, DSP William Aya, had in a recent statement said the arrests and detainment of the policemen have been made by state Criminal Investigation Department.
Aya said, “The officers are: ASP Isah Barnabas, Inspector Ifediegwu Godwin, Sgt Emmanuel Ochima and CPL Umameh Mathias, who physically assaulted one of the travellers.
“The Assistant Superintendent of Police has been issued an official query, while the three junior officers are currently undergoing orderly room trial,” he added.
The command said efforts were been made to establish contact with the victims, urging them to reach out to the police for further investigation. The state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said in a statement on Sunday that the government would follow the case to ensure justice prevailed.”
He added that, “As a government led by young people, we believe police brutality against the youth is a thing we must kick against in view of our recent history as a nation.
“The government of Kogi State will follow up on this case to ensure justice is served and served adequately to signal a deterrent for possible future recurrence.”
