Life coach alleges kidnap, extortion by Abuja police

• We are investigating, says PPRO

A Life coach, Solomon Buchi has narrated how five policemen kidnapped him and his brother and extorted N500, 000 from them before they were released in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Buchi, who narrated the incident in his twitter account, claimed he and his kid brother were kidnapped by Police in Abuja around Wuse 2, after eating at Kilimanjaro at Ruby Centre.

The incident came less than a week after a video of four policemen caught extorting a young man went viral. He said the policemen doubled-crossed his bolt ride, brought out guns and asked them to follow them into a private car.

He said: “ On getting in, they asked us where we’re from. I stated that we were Igbos from Imo State, and they said we were members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). They squeezed us into their car and started harassing us, at this point, I had a severe panic attack.

“I begged them to give me water to take my medicines. They asked me what I do for a living, I told them I’m a writer, and they called me a yahoo boy. They said we should get ready to get to the station, I told them that I wanted to call my lawyer and they became furious. They asked if I’m based in Abuja, I told them I came for the holiday and they asked where I stay and how much I am paying, I told them I stay at a short-let apartment. They ransacked my phone and saw my conversation with my manager and saw how much I paid.

“They questioned how I could afford such an amount of money. All this while they’ve taken us to the outskirts of Abuja. They handcuffed us and pushed us into the boot. I nearly choked because I am claustrophobic and I had to take a double dose of my medicines.

They drove for two hours and I was so scared because these guys had guns and threatened to kill us. They began asking how many accounts we have and how much is in there. They forced us to open our bank apps and told me to bring N1.5 million. I was already having severe panic attacks and needed to take my other medicines at home. I told them I didn’t have that amount of money.

“Long story short, they took our ATMs and withdrew N500,000 out of N617,000 that I had in my account. They withdrew my kid brother’s N50,000. I begged them that it was my upkeep money for my stay but they went physical on me, slapped me and asked me to use the 117K for myself.

Buchi said the policemen stopped at a junction, and one of the men took off his police uniform and went to withdraw the money using a POS. They also wanted to transfer our crypto.

“They looked for a dark place, unlocked the handcuffs and gave us our phones and cards. They took my new AirPods and valuables.

“They threatened to kill. They said they work for the IG of police. When they dropped us off, all I saw was BWR 127Q0 as the number plate. Not sure of the last two letters though.

“They were actual policemen, they had their walkie-talkie and I could hear security communication. When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Josephine Adeh, told The Guardian at 1:38 p.m yesterday that the Command was investigating the matter.

“I can tell you that we are investigating and that is what I can say now,” she said. The Guardian later called at 6:20 p.m. and she sent a Whatsapp chat explain: “ The attention of the FCT Police Command has been drawn to the viral post of an alleged case of extortion by some Police Officers in Abuja.”

“Consequent upon the above, the Commissioner of Police FCT Command, Sunday Babaji, has ordered immediate investigation and arrest of personnel involved in the alleged unprofessional conduct. Investigations have therefore commenced and the outcome will be made public upon its conclusion.”

“While assuring the people of a diligent investigation, the CP urge the good people of the FCT to always contact the Public Complaints Bureau on; 0902 222 2352 , a line dedicated to receiving and attending to complaints of unprofessional conducts by officers of the Command. The Command also implores residents to report all suspicious movements, emergencies or distresses through the following lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.