Activist Raises Concerns Over Alleged Police Abduction and Extortion of N1.1 Million

Rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has sounded the alarm to the Nigeria Police Force concerning reports of 'abduction,' torture, and extortion involving N1.1 million taken from some Nigerians by police operatives in Anambra State.

In a post shared on his social media account on Sunday, Mr. Gwamnishu alleged that the personnel involved included the Officer-in-Charge (OC) and several operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit stationed in Enugu-Ukwu.

Enugu-Ukwu is situated within the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra.

Gwamnishu claimed, "The OC and officers at the Anti-Cultism Unit in Enugu- Ukwu, Anambra State abducted, tortured, and coerced these victims into depositing One Million, One Hundred and Nineteen Thousand Naira (N1,119,000) into an account they designated." He also emphasized the troubling frequency of such activities.

He called out key officials including the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the police force in Anambra State, as well as the Force New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, and the Complaint Response Unit of the police regarding this situation.

Mr. Gwamnishu provided evidence on the microblogging platform, sharing receipts that suggest victims were forced to engage in multiple bank transactions under duress. The evidence showcases photographs of two victims displaying bruises and injuries they allegedly sustained during the abusive process.

The bank transaction records suggest that victims forwarded funds into several accounts linked to individuals named Ifeanyi Ofoegbu and Emmanuel Uzoma, amounting to N500,000; N263,000; N103,000; N53,000; N80,000; N100,000; and N10,000.

He refrained from revealing any information regarding the identities of the victims or the police operatives involved, although indications suggest there were eight victims in total.

In reaction, the Complaint Response Unit of the police has requested Gwamnishu to furnish them with details of the victims to facilitate an investigation. They responded: "Dear @HarrisonBbi18, kindly provide the victims' details for further investigation. Thank you for contacting NPF-CRU."

This incident exemplifies a broader issue, as it is not the first time police officers have faced accusations of extortion, torture, and abduction. Reports of police brutality, extortion, extrajudicial killings, and other forms of misconduct have persisted in Nigeria despite punitive measures, including the dismissal of implicated officers.

The current situation arose shortly after police in Anambra State detained six senior officers accused of extorting N200,000 from a trader in Onitsha, the state's commercial center. Earlier in February, three officers were dismissed following allegations of kidnapping and extorting N1.7 million from a victim. In a related situation, police operatives shot and killed a private motorcyclist in Ebonyi State.

In late 2024, members of the Crack Squad in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, were responsible for shooting a laborer, resulting in fatalities and injuries. A historical case from 2018 also highlighted police brutality when an officer shot a motorcyclist for allegedly refusing to pay a bribe.

Police operatives in Bayelsa State were also involved in a recent extortion case, where they obtained N3 million from a victim at gunpoint, leading to their arrest after the individual submitted a formal complaint. Eventually, the funds were returned about three weeks later.