The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested and detained four police officers for allegedly extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an illegal stop-and-search operation in Abuja.

Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed that the officers abandoned their official duty posts, converged around the Banex area in Wuse, and mounted an unauthorized checkpoint where they allegedly carried out illegal operations.

According to the police commissioner, the officers stopped Dr. Aliyu without knowing his identity and compelled him to withdraw ₦53,000 through a Point of Sale (POS) operator. The ICPC chairman was also made to bear the transaction charges before the officers allegedly shared the money among themselves.

"They extorted him of ₦53,000. They took him to a POS, he withdrew the money, paid the charges and they shared the money among themselves," Sanusi said.

Describing the suspects as "a gang of criminals," Sanusi said the officers had no business wearing the police uniform. He explained that after carrying out the alleged extortion, they fled the scene, prompting the command to declare them wanted. Their eventual arrest followed the capture of the gang leader, whose confession led investigators to the remaining suspects.

"We got all of them. We are going to make sure they are severely punished. Those that are going to be dismissed will definitely be dismissed," the commissioner added.

Sanusi also reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police prohibiting officers from indiscriminately searching citizens' mobile phones during patrols.

"You cannot stop anybody on the road and ask the person to bring out his phone for search. If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don't agree. Call the police emergency lines and we will ask them why," he said.

The commissioner urged members of the public to promptly report cases of extortion and other forms of police misconduct, assuring residents that officers found guilty of misconduct would be investigated, tracked down, and sanctioned in accordance with the law.

The arrest comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to address corruption, extortion, and other unethical practices within its ranks while restoring public confidence in law enforcement.