The Nigeria Police Force has promised justice for Kelechi Isaac, who was extorted of ₦3 million by its personnel in Bayelsa State. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuwiya Adejobi, confirmed that the policemen involved in the extortion have been identified and are under investigation.
In a statement released on Sunday, Adejobi expressed regret over the incident, condemning the actions of the officers involved. He assured the public that the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, would interrogate the officers on Monday.
“This matter has been taken up by the FHQ and the CP Bayelsa, CP Francis Idu. The men have been identified. We will continue to act on it tomorrow, Monday, for further investigation. The act is unacceptable and condemned. I personally engaged the CP, and we are on it. Justice will be served,” Adejobi said.
Kelechi Isaac, a resident of Ghana who had returned to Nigeria to attend a friend’s traditional wedding in Bayelsa, recounted his harrowing experience to Sahara Reporters. He described how, while traveling back to Imo State, he was stopped by police officers at a checkpoint near Udi. The officers demanded access to his phone and, when he refused, citing an IG directive against such searches, they began to beat him.
Officers Identified and Under Investigation; Victim Seeks Full Refund and Accountability
Isaac was handcuffed, driven away, and subjected to further abuse. The officers threatened to kill him if he did not comply. Despite his pleas to be taken to a police station, he was forced to open his phone. Upon discovering a ₦10 million bank alert in his messages, the officers escalated their demands, threatening him with death if he did not give them ₦6 million.
In fear for his life, Isaac negotiated and eventually transferred ₦3 million to the officers. The money was sent in two transactions: ₦2 million to an account held by Yusuf Mustafa of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, and ₦1 million to an account held by Jerry Ventures of the same bank.
Isaac has since sought legal assistance and has provided the account details to the Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa. He is demanding a full refund of his money and that the officers be held accountable for their actions.
“I want justice. I want my money returned to me because it is for my project. Let the policemen who did this to me be identified so that other Nigerians won’t become their victims. I don’t know if it is a crime for somebody to come back to his country. I don’t do any illicit business. I am a law-abiding citizen of this country. I want justice,” Isaac stated.
