The Rule of Law and Accountability, Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has urged the Police Service Commission (PSC) to probe the alleged abduction of a businessman and extortion of N62 million from him.
According to a report by Sahara Reporters, the businessman, Olu Agwu was abducted by police operatives in plain clothes, taken to the anti-kidnapping unit and given two choices – pay some millions of Naira for his release or risk being labeled a member of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and an operative of Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The businessman was reportedly abducted by policemen attached to the Enugu State Police Command in his village at Abiriba, in the Ohafia local government area of Abia State on December 26, 2024.
The report said he was handcuffed, blindfolded, and taken with his brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicle to an unknown destination until he found himself at the Enugu State Police Command anti-kidnapping squad unit along the Enugu-Abakaliki Road, where he was detained for three days under extreme conditions after which they forced him to pay N62 million or risk IPOB/ESN label and even outright death.
The severity of the allegation prompted RULAAC to write the Police Service Commission (PSC) to probe the allegation against the Enugu State Police Command.
The letter reads: “Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) writes to bring to your urgent attention a deeply alarming incident of alleged kidnapping, extortion, and abuse of power involving members of the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Recently, one Mr. Olu Agwu, a businessman, was reportedly abducted in Abia State, blindfolded, and taken to the Enugu State anti-kidnapping unit, where he was subjected to threats and unfounded accusations of being associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN). He was coerced into paying a staggering sum of N62 million to secure his release, with claims that part of the extorted amounts was intended for senior police officials, including the inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
“We note that the NPF has issued a rebuttal to the news report detailing the alleged incident.
“However, we believe that the NPF cannot be a judge in its own case. We therefore, request the PSC’s intervention particularly as the IGP and other senior Police Officers have been accused of alleged involvement in the saga.
“This troubling pattern of labeling and extorting innocent individuals must be addressed promptly. RULAAC calls for an exhaustive, independent and impartial investigation into the actions of the officers involved, particularly those from the anti-kidnapping squad and SWAT teams.
“It is imperative to verify the claims of collusion within the police ranks and to hold all responsible parties accountable.
“Moreover, it is essential that Mr. Agwu be heard in a non threatening atmosphere and that effective remedies and protection are provided for him, including the return of his vehicle unlawfully held by the police and safeguards against retaliation or further harassment.
“Community trust in law enforcement diminishes when such abuses occur. RULAAC urges the PSC to ensure that the investigation is conducted transparently and that this type of misconduct is eradicated from the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Kindly find attached to this letter a link to the media report containing the full details of the scandalous incident.
https://saharareporters.com/2025/02/13/police-officers-kidnap-businessman-enugu-threaten-label-him-ipobesn-member-extort
“Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious matter.”
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