Rights Group Condemns Police Extortion at Roadblocks, Praises DPO’s Action, Victim’s Wife
{By WISEMAN, Crime Desk, Onitsha}
The Anambra State branch of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has praised the bravery and patriotism of a woman’s response to her husband’s experience of police brutality and extortion at the Bridgehead checkpoint in Onitsha.
The woman reported that her husband was arrested at the checkpoint where police allegedly demanded the vehicle’s documents, which he provided. However, she accused the officers of offering flimsy excuses, handcuffing her husband, and publicly labeling him as a thief, all while demanding a bribe of 500,000 Naira.
This information was shared in a press release issued in Awka, Anambra State by the Civil Liberty Organization, CLO, highlighting the theme: “We are complicit the moment we witness evil and fail to speak out,” along with the idea that any issue affecting one person impacts everyone.
Following negotiations, WISEMAN News gathered that the victim’s wife husband was pressured into transferring 200,000 Naira via Point of Service (POS).
“Upon returning home, he recounted his experience to his wife. The next day, they reported the incident to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Okpoko Police Division, CSP Augustine Okafor, who quickly dispatched officers to identify and apprehend the offenders.
The DPO’s commitment led to the return of the funds and the arrest of the culprits, who were detained and subjected to trial in accordance with police regulations”. CLO recounted.
The Rights Group expressed gratitude to CP Abioye Orutugu for assuring the public that those responsible for such serious offenses will be held accountable under the law.
They however, urges CP Orutugu to prohibit POS operators near police checkpoints, as such criminal activities occur daily, often unnoticed and unreported.
“The actions of the CP, DPO, and the victim’s wife are commendable, as evil prevails when good people remain silent”. The Civil Liberty Organization, CLO concluded.
