Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Kaduna State Police Command has ordered a full-scale investigation into officers allegedly caught extorting motorists and cyclists during a stop-and-search operation in a suburb of Millennium City.
The directive followed the circulation of a video on social media showing uniformed police personnel allegedly demanding money from road users during the operation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, ordered the identification and invitation of the officers involved for questioning, with disciplinary and legal action to follow if they are found culpable.
Police spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Command wishes to clarify that routine roadblocks and stop-and-search operations has been curtailed , except where there is credible intelligence on the movement of criminals, arms, or other prohibited items.
“The Command, however, notes that the route in the video has previously been used by criminal elements, it’s a suburb of millennium city. It was along the same route that Police operatives previously recovered 20 AK-47 rifles,” the statement partly read.
Hassan stressed that legitimate policing duties must not be used to extort, harass or intimidate members of the public, warning that officers found guilty would face severe disciplinary and legal consequences.
The Commissioner also commended residents for bringing alleged misconduct to the attention of the authorities and encouraged members of the public to continue reporting unprofessional conduct by police personnel.
The video generated reactions on social media, with several users alleging that similar incidents of extortion occur in other parts of the country.
One user, #almu.stapha0012, wrote, “Come to bypass and see something…extorting tricyclist every goddamn day and they are fully dressed.”
Another user, #edmund_onoriode, said, “#nigeriapoliceforce this shenanigans by your men happen all over the country.”
Reacting to the calls for accountability, #kingdozi_ commented, “Always talking investigation, what’s there to investigate in a video like this? We have hundreds of this setup spread across the country right now.”
The Kaduna State Police Command reiterated its commitment to professional policing, accountability and protecting the rights and safety of residents while the investigation continues.
