A renowned human rights advocate and legal practitioner, Barr. Agbowo Chinedu Frank, has raised an alarm over what he described as a disturbing pattern of abduction and extortion allegedly carried out by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force in the Nsukka zone of Enugu State.
In a video currently circulating online, Barr. Agbowo lamented the increasing incidents of young men being unlawfully arrested, coerced into confessing to cybercrime, and extorted of huge sums of money running into millions of naira. According to him, these alleged illegal operations are being carried out under the guise of fighting internet fraud but are instead turning into a money-making scheme for certain rogue officers.
It is disheartening and shameful that in a democratic society, police officers would resort to abducting innocent citizens, dragging them to remote locations, and threatening them with trumped-up charges unless they part with millions of naira. This is criminal, and it must stop.
He noted that several victims, out of fear and intimidation, often refuse to speak out, which further emboldens the perpetrators.
Calling on the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Enugu State and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Barr. Agbowo urged the leadership of the police to swiftly investigate the matter and ensure that any officer found culpable is brought to justice.
I am using this medium to respectfully call on the CP and PPRO to rise to the occasion. The dignity of the Nigerian Police Force is at stake, and justice must prevail.
Barr. Agbowo further encouraged affected individuals to come forward with evidence and assured them of legal representation and protection. He also called on human rights organizations and the general public to lend their voices to end what he described as “a gross violation of fundamental rights.”
As of the time of this report, the Enugu State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the allegations.
