By Deborah Nnamdi
The Edo State Police Command has dismissed five of its operatives following multiple complaints from members of the public accusing them of harassment, abduction, and extortion in Benin City and surrounding areas.
The development was announced on Monday in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, who revealed that the dismissed officers were part of a 10-member criminal syndicate comprising serving and discharged police personnel, Point of Sale (POS) operators, and commercial drivers.
According to the statement, the suspects include Goodluck Jaja, a POS operator; ASP Bonny Onajite; Inspectors Ehubarieme Wisdom and Arebame God’s Power; Corporal Mordi Philip; Destiny Emmanuel, a dismissed police corporal; Corporal Okon Elvis; and two commercial drivers, Samuel Nicholas and Etim Bright.
The Command said the syndicate operated along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they allegedly posed as law enforcement officers to stop unsuspecting residents, force them into vehicles, and extort money from them through POS transactions under duress.
“The Edo State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, wishes to inform the general public of a major breakthrough in the fight against criminal elements disguising as law enforcement officers to perpetrate heinous crimes within Benin City and its environs,” the statement read.
It noted that the Command had received a series of complaints about the activities of the group, prompting the Commissioner of Police to order a discreet, intelligence-led investigation.
Through sustained surveillance, technical intelligence, and coordinated operations, the police said the syndicate was eventually dismantled.
Preliminary investigations, according to the Command, showed that the suspects formed a well-organised network responsible for several cases of abduction and extortion, exploiting police gear to deceive victims and tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Command confirmed that all serving officers involved have been dismissed and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
It also called on victims of the syndicate to come forward with useful information to aid further investigation and prosecution.
Additionally, the police warned POS operators and merchants against facilitating illegal transactions, stressing that anyone found complicit would be arrested and prosecuted.
Reaffirming its commitment to accountability, the Command said it remains dedicated to sanitising the system, restoring public trust, and ensuring that no individual is above the law.
