Ghana-based Nigerian Man Accuses Police of N3 Million Extortion in Bayelsa

A Ghana-based Nigerian, Liberty Kelechi Isaac, has alleged that police officers in Bayelsa State extorted N3 million from him at gunpoint. The incident occurred Monday as Isaac returned from a friend’s traditional wedding in Bayelsa.

Isaac, who hails from Nguru Nworie, a community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, shared his ordeal with journalists in Owerri, Imo State’s capital, on Friday.

According to Isaac, he was travelling with two friends when five police officers stopped them at the Odi axis in Bayelsa. The officers, who were in an unmarked white pickup truck and wore uniforms without name tags, identified themselves as members of the “IGP’s Special Squad.”

Isaac recounted that the officers demanded he unlock his phone. When he hesitated, reminding them that the Inspector-General of Police had directed that Nigerians should not be forced to unlock their phones, the officers began beating him. After accessing his phone, they discovered a bank alert of N10 million and immediately escalated their demands.

“They threatened to shoot us if I didn’t transfer N6 million to them,” Isaac explained. “Fearing for our lives, I negotiated with them and eventually transferred N3 million to two bank accounts they provided.”

Isaac detailed that he transferred N2 million to an account at Moniepoint Microfinance Bank belonging to Yusuf Mustafa and N1 million to another Moniepoint account under the name Jerry Ventures. The officers then drove him and his friends to Ahoada in Rivers State before releasing them.

Isaac, who has since consulted a lawyer, called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the incident and ensure the return of his money. “All I want is justice. The police force must identify these officers and hold them accountable to prevent other Nigerians from suffering the same fate,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Police Command, Musa Muhammed, stated that he was unaware of the incident. The case adds to a growing list of alleged police extortions in Nigeria.

Premium Times recalled that in late June, police officers in Anambra State were accused of extorting N810,000 from a resident. After facing pressure from various sources, the officers returned the money to the victim a few hours later.

Earlier in June, a police officer in Abia State was dismissed for allegedly shooting and killing an entrepreneur who refused to pay a bribe.

In March, one officer was dismissed, and two others were suspended in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly extorting $3,000 from two Nigerians.

Additionally, a Divisional Crimes Officer from Abraka Division in Delta State was removed from office for allegedly extorting over N2 million.

It also recalled that some officers remain in detention at the police headquarters in Abuja for allegedly extorting N30.3 million.

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