The Edo State Police Command has arrested an Assistant Superintendent of Police, identified as Bonny Paul Onajite, and four other officers for alleged harassment, abduction, and extortion of individuals in the state.
DAILY POST reports that other officers arrested by the Command for the alleged offences are Inspector Ehubarieme Wisdom, Inspector Arebame God’s Power, Corporal Mordi Philip, and Corporal Okon Elvis.
Other suspects include Destiny Emmanuel, a dismissed police corporal; Goodluck Jaja, a POS operator; Samuel Nicholas; and Etim Bright, minibus drivers.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this on Monday, April 11, 2026, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.
Ikoedem said the Command described the arrest of the suspects as a breakthrough in the fight against criminal elements disguising themselves as law enforcement officers to perpetrate heinous crimes within Benin City and its environs.
She said the suspects reportedly operated along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they unlawfully stopped unsuspecting citizens, forcefully conveyed them around various roads within Benin City, and eventually took them to Point of Sale (POS) operators to fraudulently extort money from them under duress.
According to her, the Command had, in recent times, received several complaints from members of the public alleging harassment, abduction, and extortion by individuals posing as police officers.
“Disturbed by the gravity of these allegations, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately ordered a discreet and intelligence-driven investigation into the matter.
“Through sustained surveillance, technical intelligence, and coordinated operations by operatives of the Command, the criminal network was successfully busted.
“A preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects, including some serving and dismissed police personnel, formed a well-organised criminal syndicate responsible for a series of serious crimes, including abduction and extortion of innocent citizens.
“They exploited police accoutrements to deceive victims and carried out their operations with impunity, thereby bringing the name of the Nigeria Police Force into disrepute.
“Those who are serving personnel are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials,” she said.
The Command’s spokesperson added that, upon conclusion of the processes and the ongoing investigation, the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face the full weight of the law.
She said the Command, however, called on all victims who may have encountered or fallen prey to the organised criminal gang to come forward and assist the police with useful information that will aid further investigation and prosecution.
She also warned all POS operators and merchants to be wary of any individual, including persons in police uniform, who attempts to use their facilities for unlawful transactions or extortion.
Ikoedem also warned that any POS operator found to be complicit in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
Police arrest 4 officers, POS operator, others for alleged extortion, abduction in Edo
