Traffic wardens dismissed for extorting motorist

Two traffic wardens have been dismissed for extorting a motorist in Abuja. The affected personnel were Musa Muktari (Force number 394120 GDI) and Shuaibu Suleiman (10627 GDII). The two men, until their dismissal, were attached to Wuse Police Division, FCT Command.

The officer in charge of Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), Abayomi Shogunle, said in a statement yesterday: “On May 30, 2017, a motorist came to the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU), Abuja and reported that while driving his vehicle on the previous day around 12:30p.m. along Wuse market road, he was accosted by two traffic wardens who accused him of beating traffic light despite the fact that he did not.

“The motorist said the wardens started demanding for bribe before they would release him and led him to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) not far from the scene where he was forced to withdraw N15,000 from his account.”

Shogunle said one of the traffic wardens forgot his mobile phone in the victim’s car. “The PCRRU immediately launched an investigation (Tracking Number PCRRU475669) and both traffic wardens were identified, apprehended and the N15,000 earlier extorted from the complainant was recovered from both wardens who had shared it N7,500 each.

“Both wardens were subsequently defaulted and referred to the Force Provost Marshal FHQ, Abuja, for Orderly Room trial during which all witnesses were called, exhibits presented and defaulters heard.

“The Adjudicating officer found both defaulters guilty as charged and recommended punishment of dismissal from service. The orderly room proceeding has been reviewed by the appropriate NPF authority and the punishment approved with immediate effect.”

The police said all official materials including uniforms, identity cards and all accouterments issued to the men have been retrieved and all other dismissal procedure completed.

Reacting, the complainant said: “I never thought this could happen in this country; the officers were punished and my money returned to me. God bless the Inspector General of Police. I will go out and spread the news about PCRRU to everyone.”

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has commended the complainant for exposing what has been described as unprofessional and unacceptable conduct of the traffic wardens. “We will not allow corrupt practices to continue,” Idris said urging members of the public to make use of the PCRRU platform, which is available all the time.