The Edo State Police Command has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bonny Paul Onajite, and four other officers over alleged harassment, abduction, and extortion of residents in the state.
Other officers arrested include Inspectors Ehubarieme Wisdom and Arebame God’s Power, as well as Corporals Mordi Philip and Okon Elvis.
Additional suspects apprehended in connection with the alleged crimes are Destiny Emmanuel, a dismissed police corporal, Goodluck Jaja, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, Samuel Nicholas, and Etim Bright, both minibus drivers.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Benin City.
According to her, the arrests followed multiple complaints from members of the public alleging harassment, abduction, and extortion by individuals posing as police officers.
She explained that the suspects reportedly operated along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they intercepted unsuspecting victims, forcefully transported them around parts of Benin City, and coerced them into withdrawing money through POS operators.
Ikoedem said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, ordered a discreet and intelligence-driven investigation following the complaints.
“Through sustained surveillance, technical intelligence, and coordinated operations, the criminal network was successfully dismantled,” she said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, including serving and dismissed police personnel, allegedly formed a syndicate involved in abduction and extortion, using police uniforms and accoutrements to deceive victims.
The spokesperson added that serving officers implicated in the case are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials.
She said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Command also urged victims to come forward with useful information to aid prosecution and warned POS operators against facilitating illegal transactions.
She stressed that any operator found complicit in such activities would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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