Authorities of the Zone 16 zonal command of the Nigeria Police in Bayelsa State have refunded N3 million extorted from a Ghana-based Nigerian businessman, Liberty Isaac by officers attached to the command.
Isaac was in August 2024, accosted by the police officers around Odi axis of the East-West who forced him to unlock his phones and upon seeing a N10 million bank credit alert, they brutalised him and forced him to transfer the sum of N3 million to them in two tranches, using different account details provided by them.
A viral video of him narrating the incident sparked off outrage, which made the police investigate the incident, and the policemen involved in the extortion were arrested on September 5, 2024.
Isaac, confirmed to journalists in Owerri, the Imo State capital that his N3 million was refunded to him on Friday by the Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone when he visited the command with his lawyer.
He, however, wants the IGP to prosecute the rogue officers, as that, according to him, would prompt other erring officers to repent and restore the confidence of Nigerians in the Nigeria Police Force.
Isaac said: "Yes, it is true that my N3 million has been refunded to me. By the special grace of God, on Friday, September 13, I and my team, ably led by my lawyer, visited the AIG Zone 16 in Bayelsa State where the money was released to me on bond, and I am still seeking proper justice. These policemen should be made to face the law for their actions. This is armed robbery and also a kidnapping case.
“This gesture has shown that the Nigeria Police Force is still a friend, even though we know there are bad eggs among them, there are also good ones. The IGP is determined to root out the corrupt ones. I am thankful to the AIG Zone 16 in Bayelsa and the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa for their swift action in recovering my money. From what I have gathered, the IGP will, in due course, deliver justice to me.
“There is no doubt that ordinarily, this unfortunate incident would have made anyone lose interest and confidence in the country, but because I understand that there must be some betrayal in every group, I have chosen to believe that the Nigeria Police Force has both bad and good members. From what I have seen, the leadership of the force is committed to identifying and addressing the bad ones.”
He urges memebers of the public to always speak out whenever confronted with such harassment.
“This unfortunate experience will not deter me from returning to Nigeria again. It has only strengthened my belief that Nigeria will improve one day if citizens speak out at every opportunity. Do not accept every crime that occurs as normal. Speak out, and the authorities will address it.
“I am standing here as a witness to this unfortunate experience and its outcome, despite my continued expectation that the IGP will deal with the perpetrators accordingly. The only delay was in handing over the money to me due to the circumstances, but after this incident, I believe that things can be properly managed in this country if we speak out as Nigerians.”
