The Edo State Police Command has arrested five serving officers and one dismissed officer over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and extortion of residents along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa in Benin City.

Two bus drivers and a point-of-sale (POS) operator were also arrested as part of the alleged criminal gang.

Spokesperson for the command, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement on Monday, said the arrests followed lodged complaints alleging that the suspects stop citizens on the roads, and convey them around the city, before extorting them under duress.

According to the statement, the suspects nabbed in connection with these crimes are: a POS operator, Goodluck Jaja; an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bonny Paul Onajite; Inspector Ehubarieme Wisdom; Inspector Arebame God’s Power; Corporal Mordi Philip; Corporal Okon Elvis; dismissed Corporal Destiny Emmanuel; as well as two mini bus drivers, Samuel Nicholas and Etim Bright.

The statement read, “The command had, in recent times, received several complaints from members of the public alleging harassment, abduction, and extortion by individuals posing as police officers. These suspects reportedly operate along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they unlawfully stop unsuspecting citizens, forcefully convey them around various roads within Benin City, and eventually take them to Point of Sale (POS) operators to fraudulently extort money from them under duress.

“Disturbed by the gravity of these allegations, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, immediately ordered a discreet and intelligence-driven investigation into the matter. Through sustained surveillance, technical intelligence, and coordinated operations by command operatives, the criminal network was successfully busted.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects, including some serving and dismissed police personnel, formed a well-organised criminal syndicate responsible for a series of serious crimes, including abduction and extortion of innocent citizens. They exploited police accoutrements to deceive victims and carried out their operations with impunity, thereby bringing the name of the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute.

“Those who are serving personnel are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials. Upon conclusion of these processes and the ongoing investigation, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face the full weight of the law.”

The command urged victims who may have encountered or fallen prey to the criminal gang to come forward and assist the police by providing useful information to aid further investigation and prosecution.

Urging POS operators and merchants to be wary of any individual, including those in police uniform, who uses their facilities for unlawful transactions or extortion, the command warned that any found complicit in such illegal activities will be prosecuted.