Nigerian Police Officers Arrested for Stealing N31 Million from N74 Million Seized During Illegal Arrest

The Nigerian Police Force has arrested four senior officers in Abuja for allegedly pocketing N31 million out of a total of N74 million recovered during the illegal arrest of a company employee. The officers, identified as DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters, are accused of serious misconduct, including tampering with evidence, corruption, and abuse of office.

The incident took place on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where the officers unlawfully arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting N74,950,000 on behalf of his clients. Acting without authorization, the officers detained Mr. Ejah at the Zone 7 Headquarters and misrepresented the recovered sum as N31,790,000.

Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed the arrests, stating that the officers demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress the case. Investigations revealed they conspired to steal N43,160,000, hiding the stolen funds and attempting to cover their tracks by fabricating evidence and spreading false narratives.

Adejobi clarified that the officers’ actions were criminal and unprofessional. Their case was escalated to the IGP Monitoring Unit after the money’s rightful owners petitioned the Force Headquarters. Forensic analysis revealed the officers took photographs of the cash at the time of arrest but later claimed the phone used for documentation was damaged and lost.

The accused officers have been suspended pending prosecution, with the Force emphasizing its commitment to holding them accountable. Adejobi condemned attempts to divert attention from the officers’ misconduct by spreading misinformation, including claims implicating Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun in a conspiracy to shield the officers or smuggle funds.

“The Nigeria Police Force categorically refutes these baseless allegations,” Adejobi stated, urging the public to avoid disseminating false narratives that undermine trust in the police reform agenda. He assured that the officers involved would face justice following due legal and administrative processes.