As a way of maintaining decorum in the Nigerian Police Force , no fewer than Four operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have been detained over the alleged extortion of a student from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
The officers, attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit, were accused of unlawfully detaining Taiwo Kayode Taye and extorting N200,000 from him after he refused to unlock his mobile phone. The incident reportedly took place at Erin-Ile, while the student was on his way to Osogbo, Osun State. He was later transferred to the Ijagbo Police Division and subsequently to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Ilorin.
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed on Thursday that the four officers are currently being held at the ‘A’ Division in Ilorin, the state capital.
According to him, “The officers involved have been arrested and are in custody. Full investigation has commenced, and I can assure you that they will not go unpunished.”
The student, Taiwo, was said to have been coerced into unlocking his phone, after which the sum of N200,000 was allegedly transferred to an account bearing the name Lucy Akor.
The state police command had earlier announced that it had launched an investigation into the matter, following public outcry over the conduct of its officers.
Commissioner Ojo condemned the actions of the personnel involved, stating that such misconduct would not be tolerated under his leadership.
“This kind of behaviour tarnishes the image of the Nigeria Police. We are determined to ensure justice is served and to restore public trust in the force,” he added.
The development has sparked renewed concerns over police accountability and abuse of power in the country.
