Five policemen attached to the Anti-Robbery Squad of the Area M Police Command have been put in detention for allegedly taking a bribe of N150, 000 from a suspected fraudster.
It was gathered that the police officers had arrested the complainant, identified simply as Ifeanyi, for allegedly engaging in internet fraud.
He was said to have been led to the nearest ATM to make withdrawal so as to be free of the accusation.
A police source said, “The incident happened on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. The five police officers arrested him and then took him to the ATM.
“After the withdrawal of an initial sum of N100, 000, they asked him to make a transfer of the remaining sum.
“After he did that, they freed him and allowed him to go.”
Ifeanyi was said to have petitioned the police, asking for the probe of the five men and claiming that he was innocent of the accusation.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspected cops were rounded up and put into detention.
Another source said the men were being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, pending the conclusion of police investigation.
“The police officers are from different divisions, but they are all under Area M Police Command,” he added.
Two of them were identified as Sergeant Ogbole and Corporal Collins.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Nwosu, said the police were investigating the petition, adding that anybody found culpable would be punished.
He said, “In line with the Commissioner of Police’s stance on anti-corruption, transparency and professional conduct, we arrested the officers. The CP has said he has zero tolerance for corruption.
“We got information and the policemen were picked up by officers from the state CID, to ascertain the veracity of the allegation.
“The investigation will be thorough. And if anybody is found on the wrong side of our code of ethics, the person will be dealt with.”
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