Businessman recovers N3m extorted at gunpoint by policemen, wants culprits prosecuted

A Nigerian man, Liberty Kelechi Isaac, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to prosecute some policemen who stole N3 million from him at gunpoint in Bayelsa State in August.

Isaac who said that he was back in the country to attend a friend’s traditional marriage ceremony in Bayelsa, disclosed that he was accosted by some police officers and forced him to unlock his phones.

He disclosed that on seeing a N10 million bank alert, they brutalized him and forced him to transfer N3 million to them in two tranches in account details they provided.

Isaac, a businessman based in Ghana who spoke to journalists in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday, disclosed that his N3 million had been refunded him by the leadership of the Zone 16 Command in Bayelsa State.

He disclosed that the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone released the money on bond to him on Friday when he visited him with his lawyer.

Isaac said that he was happy with the swift action taken by the Police authorities to round up the policemen who stole from him and gave him back his money.

He said that despite the refund, he wants the rogue policemen to be prosecuted.

“It is true that my N3 million has been refunded to me. By the special grace of God, on Friday being September 13, I and my team, ably led by my lawyer visited the AIG Zone 16 Bayelsa where the money was released to me on bond and I am still asking for the proper justice. These policemen should be made to face the law based on what they committed. This is armed robbery and equally a kidnapping case.

“The IGP is ready to fish out the corrupt ones among them. I am thanking the AIG Zone 16 Bayelsa and the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa for the swift action in recovering my money,” he said.

Isaac said the recovery of the money has reinforced his faith in the Nigeria Police.

“This ugly expression won’t deter me from coming back to Nigeria again. It has only stepped up my belief that Nigeria will get better one day if the citizens speak out at every given point. Don’t take every crime that happens everyday as a normal thing. Just speak out and the authorities will take care of it.

“I am standing here as a witness as someone that passed through this ugly experience and got result not withstanding the fact that I still expect the IGP to deal with them accordingly but I am advising my fellow Nigerians that in any way you are being affected directly or indirectly, kindly report to the police leadership. Don’t say they are policemen you won’t report them. Come with your evidence. Make sure you are giving them the current statement of what happened I believe the Nigeria Police Force will fish out those bad eggs,” he added.

The businessman noted that he did not believe he will recover the money.

“When I started my journey to retrieve the money, I was very doubtful. That is why I have to appreciate the AIG Zone 16 and Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, the PPRO Zone 16 and the PPRO Bayelsa State.

“It took them just three to four days and I started seeing results. They said they have recovered the money. The only thing that took time is handing over the money to me because of what was on ground.

“So after this incident I believe that things can be done properly again in this country only if we speak out as Nigerians.”