Four police officers have been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command for allegedly extorting N53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an illegal stop-and-search operation in Abuja.

According to Punch, FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi disclosed the arrests on Monday while briefing journalists in Abuja. He described the officers as “thieves” who had no business wearing the police uniform.

Sanusi said the officers abandoned their assigned duty posts, converged around the Banex area of Wuse, and set up an unauthorised checkpoint where they allegedly extorted motorists. Unaware of Aliyu’s identity, they reportedly forced him to withdraw N53,000 through a Point of Sale operator, pay the transaction charges, and then shared the money among themselves.

The commissioner said investigations led to the arrest of the gang leader, whose confession resulted in the apprehension of the other members of the syndicate.

He added that the officers would face disciplinary procedures, including possible dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.

Sanusi also reiterated the Inspector-General of Police’s directive prohibiting officers from conducting indiscriminate searches of citizens’ mobile phones during patrols. He urged residents to reject unlawful requests to surrender their phones for roadside searches and report offending officers through the police emergency lines.

The commissioner assured the public that cases of extortion and misconduct by police personnel would continue to be investigated and that offenders would be sanctioned.