The Rivers State Police Command said it had begun an investigation into an incident of alleged abduction and extortion of N1 million from a man identified as Uzoma Godswill by operatives at the Eleme axis of the state on Wednesday.
This came as activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, on his Twitter handle, disclosed that policemen armed with AK-47 rifles abducted the man in Eleme, took him to a distant location, collected his Automated Teller Machine card, pin and withdrew the said sum from a Point of Sale agent.
Gwamnishu further said the PoS operative confirmed the withdrawal by the police which attracted a charge of N20,000.
He stated, “Mr Uzoma Eyinna Godswill was yesterday (Wednesday) abducted by some men armed with AK-47 rifles later identified as police officers along Eleme Rivers State.
“They arrested him around Port Harcourt/Owerri Road where they took his ATM card and pin, withdrew the sum of N1,000,000 and N20,000 charge.
“The PoS agent confirmed the man who came to withdraw with Uzoma’s ATM card came with a fully loaded magazine”.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state Police Commands, Grace Iringe-Koko, said though she had not received such a report, the command would investigate the matter.
Superintendent of Police, Iringe-Koko stated that the command was trying to find out the identities of the officers involved and their place of duty.
She stated, “We the command have not received any report on this but what we are trying to do is to find out the officers involved because operatives come from different zones into the state.
“So, while we are trying to ascertain, the man (victim) in question should also come to the police and give us an update, especially if he can identify the officers that committed the crime.
“Definitely, appropriate action will be taken to ensure he gets justice. So, for now, we have commenced an investigation. That’s all I can say”.
