Imo State residence Ebuka Robert and his uncle, Victor Aguwah, claimed to have been extorted last Tuesday by some policemen at a checkpoint in the Enyiogugu area.
The policemen, one named Ifeanyi, were allegedly trying to frame them for killing police in Onitsha, Anambra, and demanded a N500,000 bribe.
Robert and a cousin, Junior, were on their way home after picking Aguwah up at the Sam Mbakwe Airport around noon. An armored vehicle with the registration number NPF4605D stopped their car and ordered them to get out.
The policemen later ensued with a search but did not find anything suspicious. “They searched my bag thoroughly but only found clothes and drugs that I use for my health issues,” Aguwah said.
“One of the policemen, who was smoking and drinking, confronted me and ordered me to enter their vehicle. Before I could ask what my offense was, he slapped me and hit my spine with the tip of his gun,” added Aguwah who still feels pain in the pounded area.
The three were released around 5 pm after the officers eventually coerced N60,000 that Ebuka withdrew via a Point of Sale.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, reported the incident to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Hussain.
CSP Michael Abatam, PPRO of Imo State Police Command, assured that the accused policemen had been identified and detained. The result of the investigation is promised to be released to the public soon.
