Police say ₦1.4 million Anambra officers extorted from innocent civilians refunded

The police command in Anambra says it has refunded ₦1.4 million allegedly extorted from four victims after some officers of the Anti-Cultism Unit in Enugwu-Ukwu, involved were summoned to the police headquarters in Abuja.
Head of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, Harrison Gwamnishu, in a statement on Thursday, said the errant officers unlawful arrested, tortured, detained them to confess to being secret cultists, and forced them to transfer the money into an account the officers provided.
Mr Gwamnishu wrote, “Following my post of 29th March, 2026, officers of the Anti-Cultism Unit in Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra police command have refunded the sum of one million, four hundred and eighty-five thousand naira (₦1,485,000) criminally extorted.
“The officers involved in the unlawful arrest, torture, and detention of the following individuals have now been identified. Mr Makuachukwu Emmanuel Agu, Mr Chukwuebuka David, Mr Daberechi Vitalis Njoku, and Mr. Tochukwu Joshua were arrested and tortured to confess of being members of a secret cult and forced them to transfer the money into an account the officers provided.”
According to Mr Gwamnishu, the Complaint Response Unit from the Office of the Inspector General of Police, were on Thursday, in Awka to ensure the victims got justice.
Head of the CRU, Aniete Okokon Iniedu, had in an X post on Wednesday, said the police commissioner, Ikioye Orutugu, was asked to provide the errant officers at the Force headquarters, after
“UPDATE: The Unit has commenced investigation. A signal has been sent. The esteemed CP @policeAnambraNG formally informed to produce the OC & team at the FHQ, Abuja. Kindly remain calm as justice is assured. @tony_placid @TunjiDisu1 @HarrisonBbi18 @AnambraPolice #bailisfree,” Mr Iniedu wrote.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 5
Arsenal beat Coventry City 3-0 in Premier League opener
Kai Havertz found the back of the net in the first 15 minutes of the game.

Africa
DR Congo’s Ebola death toll hits 2,500
He projected that the existing funds will be exhausted in weeks.

States
Troops rescue 43-year-old kidnap victim in Kaduna, kill terrorist in Sokoto
The spokesperson said that troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to withdraw in disarray.

Sport
Usain Bolt registers to play for Manchester Sunday league team
The 40-year-old Manchester United fan registered as a player for Wythenshawe Vets FC.

Education
WAEC announces release of 2026 WASSCE digital certificates
The examination body asked candidates to log on to waec.org to access their certificates.

Heading 5
Prince Harry, Elton John, five others ordered to make initial payment of £9.5 million to Daily Mail publisher
The judge said the plaintiffs had not built an airtight case.






