The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has ordered the immediate imprisonment of policemen reportedly involved in extorting ₦5.2m from a traveler, after a direction from the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
The instruction was contained in a statement signed by the NSCDC spokeswoman, Afolabi Babawale, on Wednesday.
According to reports, officers extorted the aforementioned sum from a young man traveling from Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State to Akure in Ondo State. The incident was made public by a social media post that went viral.
Ahmed Audi, the Corps’ Commandant General, quickly responded by denouncing the officers’ behavior as unprofessional and against the Corps’ Code of Ethics and Standard Operating Procedure.
According to the statement, Audi ordered the officers to be detained in the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja while a disciplinary committee was formed to look into the matter thoroughly.
Any officer found guilty during the investigation would be subject to penalties under the Public Service Rules, the CG said.
He stressed that the Corps under his leadership would not tolerate any form of misconduct, emphasising the need for accountability.
“Following the directive of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for an immediate investigation into allegations of extortion involving officers of the Corps, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi, has ordered the immediate detention of the alleged officers.
“He further directed that the culprits be whisked down to the Corps national headquarters, Abuja for detention, to pave the way for the disciplinary committee set up to carry out a full-scale investigation into the alleged extortion report as directed by the Minister of Interior.
“The Corps helmsman hinted that the management of the Corps awaits the outcome of the investigation and promised to deal decisively with the officers according to the Public Service Rules if they are found guilty of the alleged offence,” the statement read in part.
Audi also encouraged the public to continue collaborating with the Corps by sharing relevant information, assuring that citizens should not fear intimidation or extortion.
He reaffirmed his commitment to integrity and transparency within the service, promising not to shield any officer involved in corrupt practices.
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