The Command said the drastic disciplinary action followed an extensive investigation into multiple complaints of harassment, unlawful arrest, abduction and extortion by individuals allegedly posing as police officers along the Temboga axis, off Aduwawa, in Benin City.
The Edo State Police Command has dismissed five serving police officers and demoted another after uncovering an alleged criminal syndicate involving police personnel, commercial bus drivers and civilian collaborators accused of abducting residents and extorting money from them in Benin City.
The Command said the drastic disciplinary action followed an extensive investigation into multiple complaints of harassment, unlawful arrest, abduction and extortion by individuals allegedly posing as police officers along the Temboga axis, off Aduwawa, in Benin City.
The Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the operation exposed a well-organised network comprising serving police officers, dismissed personnel, commercial bus drivers and civilian accomplices who targeted unsuspecting members of the public.
According to Ikoedem, investigations revealed that victims were intercepted on the road, forced into commercial buses under the guise of legitimate police operations and driven around different parts of Benin City while being intimidated.
