By Pascal Ibe
Isaac Liberty Kelechi, a man who was extorted N3m by policemen in Bayelsa, has revealed that Nigerian police authorities have now asked him to come to Abuja and get his money back.
In an interview in Owerri on Thursday, Isaac said the Force headquarters told him to come to Abuja on Monday to get his N3m.
Recall that on August 26, the Ghana-based Nigerian, Liberty Kelechi Isaac, urged the Inspector General of Police to fish out some policemen who extorted N3m from him at gunpoint.
Isaac who hails from Nguru Nworie autonomous community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state who spoke to journalists in Owerri on Friday said that the policemen accosted him and two of his friends on Monday at Udi axis in Bayelsa state and forced him on a gunpoint to transfer N3m to them after manhandling him and threatening to shoot him.
Isaac, who said that he was in the country to attend a friend’s Traditional marriage ceremony in Bayelsa state, disclosed that the policemen forced him to unlock his phone, and on seeing an N10m Bank alert, they started beating him and threatened to kill him if he failed to transfer N6m to them.
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Speaking to newsmen in Owerri on Thursday, Isaac confirmed that the five officers who forcefully extorted N3m from him at gunpoint have been arrested and transferred to Abuja after meeting with the Zone 16 police authorities in Yenagoa on Wednesday.
According to Isaac, ”the Zone 16 police authorities listened to my story and assured me that my money will be refunded back to me. But as they were about to pay the money into my account, a new directive from Police Headquarters was issued to the Zone 16 authorities, which asked me to appear at Force Headquarters in Abuja before I can be able to get my money back.
He said, ”I’m pleased with the steps which the Nigerian police took to ensue the right thing was done, however my only issue now is for me to come to Abuja. I have tried to communicate to them on who will take care of my expenses and the lawyer coming to Abuja on Monday.
Speaking further, Isaac asked Nigerians who are victims of police brutality to speak up and always come to equity with clean hands.
”From what just happened to me, I understood that the police are eager to fish out and deal with rogue officers, so I’m asking victims to speak up through the media.
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On Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adejobi Olumuyiwa sai the policemen involved in the case of extortion of N3m from Comrade Liberty Kelechi in Bayelsa State on his way to Imo State with two of his friends have been arrested.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who revealed this, said the men are attached to zone 16 command in Yenagoa.
Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the command to produce the men at the Force Headquarters (FHQ).
He said the FHQ will continue to sanitise the system and ensure justice is done in all cases brought to its notice.
Adejobi warned that the IGP will never condone or support any unprofessional, corrupt, or illegal act as the Force will continue to uphold its values and ethics.
He said: “We will talk to the AIG in charge, this will be thoroughly looked into. I and many senior officers feel uncomfortable, with the way some policemen engage in unprofessional conduct, most especially forceful extortion, and most times, they even drop the name of the IGP in their illegal and inhumane act.
“IGP has condemned it and reiterated that he doesn’t need any money or gift from any officer as returns or settlement. The IGP will never condone or support any unprofessional, corrupt, or illegal act. The Force will continue to uphold its values and ethics.
