Extortion: Kogi Gov Lauds Police For Arresting Officers In Viral Video

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has commended the police command in the state for fishing out its operatives caught on videotape assaulting and extorting a traveller in the state.

The video, which went viral on social media on Saturday, captured the moment an officer assaulted the victim after allegedly obtaining N25,000 from him using his ATM card.

The incident took place along the Adogo-Okene expressway in the state.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Idrisu Dauda Dabban, had announced the officers’ arrest in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP William Aya, on Sunday in Lokoja.

Dabban gave the names of the officers as ASP Isah Barnabas, Inspector Ifediegwu Godwin, Sergeant Emmanuel Ochima and Corporal Umameh Mathias.

He said they were currently cooling their heels at the State Criminal Investigation Department where they’re undergoing Orderly Room Trial.

Reacting, Governor Bello commended the police command for heeding his call to identify and arrest the officers

“As a Government, we are pleased with the swift intervention of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Idrisu Dauda Dabban on the matter. We are aware the unprofessional Officers have been identified, apprehended and would be tried immediately.

“As a Government led by young people, we believe Police brutality against the youth is a thing we must kick against in view of our recent history as a nation.

“The Government of Kogi State will follow up on this case to ensure justice is served and served adequately to signal a deterrent for possible future occurrence.

“Our nation will only thrive when the rights of the citizens are respected and protected. This is what the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello stands for in Kogi State and his wish for Nigeria,” Bello was quoted to have said by state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.