Group Urges Gov Okpebholo To Intervene On Alleged Collection Of $50,000 Nigeria Citizens By Edo Police
By Simeon OSAJIE
A group known as “Bail is Free Campaign Group”, a non-governmental and non-profit making organization has urged the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo to intervene on alleged fraudulently collection of about $50,000 from poor Nigeria citizens by the State Police under the supervision of the Edo Police Command.
In the petition signed by the coordinator of the group, Oni Edigin, and made available to journalists in Benin City, Edo State capital, titled “MASSIVE FRAUDULENT, EXTORTION, INTIMIDATION, HARASSMENT AND LACK OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHT BY THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE EDO STATE COMMAND CP AND COHORT, the group alleged that on the 5th December 2024, Oba Market Police Divisional, Headquarter in Oredo Local Government arrest, detained, extorted and became a judge, fraudulently collected the sum of $50,000 from the poor Nigeria citizens.
“This report was immediately sent to office of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command and there has been no respond from the C.P. as regard the allegation till as at the time of sending this petition.
“So many complain of petitions about fraudulent extortion, intimidation and unlawful detention against Edo State Police Command has also been sent to the official Whatsapp of the C.P. but no meaningful justice has been given.”
Going further, the group added that on the 13th and 19th of November, 2024, the group sent a letter to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Police Command titled “Public Interest and Strict Compliance To Police Act 2020” which Your Excellency was also copied, reminding the CP over a fraudulent event that is experienced in the state command headquarter, divisional headquarter and police post.
“On the letter, we appeal the C.P to intensify the police monitoring unit to go after the happy demand fraudulent officers who will like to use the yuletide period for intimidation and harassment of the citizen. We also pledge our loyalty to the police state command in pointing some of those err officers.
“Your Excellency, with all those efforts, there is still increase in police extortion in different part of the state.
“Your Excellency, if this continue, the fight against corruption of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government will be in vain.
“Your Excellency, we believe on your capability, accountability and transparency to move Edo State to a greater height and we also believe that drawing your attention to this issue is a call for an anticipated solution to this issue.”
