A police officer has been accused of allegedly forcefully collecting N120,000 from a woman suspected to have violated the COVID-19 lockdown order in the Delta State.

The Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa had imposed a total lockdown across the state since April 1 amid four recorded positive cases of COVID-19 including one fatality.

Since the lockdown started, too, there have been cases of extortion, brutality and killing of innocent citizens of the state levelled against security forces, especially the Nigeria Police who were largely empowered to enforce the lockdown.

It was gathered that the erring police Inspector, simply identified as Inspector Okosun, is attached to the Quick Response Unit of the Delta State Police Command.

He allegedly extorted N120,000 from one Mrs Nwabuabo Obiajulu on Friday, April 17 at about 12noon at Asagba Police Station near Ogwashi-Uku in Delta.

Mrs Obiajulu told our correspondent that she had sent her son, Utulu Chukwuweiki, with her ash colour Lexus Ex300
with registration, number ABJ306JY to buy premium motor spirit (petrol) from a filling station to power their generating set.

Chukwuweiki was on his way to deliver the errand when a team of the police patrol team, led by Mr Okosun in a blue Toyota Hilux and a Range Rover, blocked him at NEPA junction.

Unsure of the identity of his assailants, whom she said were not in uniform, the young man manoeuvred his way out of the junction while the occupants of the Hilux and the Rang Rover gave him a hot chase.

Mrs Obiajulu further narrated that while being pursued, her son speedily drove into safety at Ogwa Spot at Ikeleke Quarters in Ogwashi-Uku.

The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP E. Ene Okon has called on members of the public to resist attempts by policemen enforcing the stay-at-home order in the state to curb the spread of COVID-19 to extort money from them while performing their duty.

The CP in a release on Saturday signed by the command’s PRO, SP Ogbonna Geoffrey stated the commitment of Abia command under his leadership to perform their duty with utmost professionalism devoid of extortion, inclivity and other acts of misconduct.

“Sequel to a review of the level of compliance and enforcement by the Police of the restriction orders by the Abia State Government and Inspector General of Police to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the State, the commissioner of police Abia State, CP E. Ene Okon, Fdc wishes to reaffirm the command’s commitment in the enforcement of the orders and directives

“The commissioner of police therefore enjoin members of the public to resist any form of extortion from the police or any other security Agency involved in the enforcement of these orders and directives aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the state” he said.

He also that that the CP has directed all DPOs at the borders with other neighbouring state to ensure effective enforcement of restrictions on movements into and out of the State.

“Members of the public should report promptly any act of extortion or inclivity from all angles within this period to the commissioner of police Abia State on 08033579331 and for COVID-19 on 0702242362.

“Let’s join hands to resist the spread of Covid-19 in the God’s own State.” he concluded.

The Abia state Police Command has announced the arrest of policemen involved in sporadic shooting in Ohafia on Friday that led to the death of an indigene of the area, identified as Ifeanyi Arunsi.

The State Police Command said it received with nostalgia the news of the shooting incident in Ebem Ohafia by a team of policemen led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, saying the team were neither on duty nor on COVID 19 preventive assignment.

In a release signed by the command’s PRO, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna on behalf of CP E. Ene Okon on Saturday made available to ABN TV, he said the team went out in a private car belonging to one of them to a drinking joint where they got drunk and while going back home, the driver hit a truck off-loading goods.

“In an ensuing argument between the Policemen and the people off-loading goods, one of the Policemen, a Constable disappeared from the scene and resurfaced with a Police rifle and started shooting sporadically under the influence of alcohol during which, bullet hit the victim on the buttocks.

“This singular act and others of same nature is regrettable, condemnable and not tolerated by both the Nigeria Police Force and its Abia State Command.

“The Commissioner of Police Abia State, CP E. Ene Okon commiserates with the immediate and extended families of the deceased as well as the entire Ohafia people.

“It is the Commissioner of Police’ sordid appeal to the youths and people of Ebem Ohafia to eschew violence and destruction of Police/government property while assuring that justice must be done.

“Meanwhile the erring Policemen have been arrested for investigation and eventual prosecution while the corpse of the deceased has been deposited in a yet to be disclosed morgue by members of his family for preservation.

“Further developments will be made public while the investigation lasts.” he stated.
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