Sun Sep 15 12:07:38 UTC 2024: ## Nigerian Businessman Seeks Justice After Police Extortion in Bayelsa

**Owerri, Imo State -** A Nigerian businessman, Liberty Isaac, has called for the prosecution of police officers who allegedly extorted N3 million from him at gunpoint in Bayelsa State. Isaac, who returned to Nigeria for a friend’s wedding in August, was accosted by police officers on the Udi axis of the state. They forced him to unlock his phone and, upon seeing a bank credit alert for N10 million, proceeded to brutalize him and force him to transfer N3 million to them in two installments.

While the Zone 16 zonal command in Bayelsa State has since refunded the N3 million to Isaac, he insists on the prosecution of the officers involved. Isaac, who spoke to journalists on Saturday, stated that the refund, made on Friday by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, is not enough. He maintains that the officers’ actions constitute armed robbery and kidnapping, and they must face justice.

“This gesture has shown that the Nigeria Police Force is still a friend, even though we know there are bad eggs among them,” Isaac said. “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.”

The police officers involved in the extortion were arrested on September 5th, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi. The officers, attached to the Zone 16 command in Yenagoa, are currently under investigation and will be brought before the FHQ for further action.

Isaac’s experience highlights the ongoing challenges of police misconduct and corruption in Nigeria. He urges the public to speak out against such harassment, stating that “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.”

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