Policemen attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Area 3 in Abuja, have apologised and returned N350,000 out of the N412,000 they stole from Chidera Ojukwu, a resident.
The police handed the sum to him on Thursday evening and asked him to return on Friday for the rest, but Ojukwu forfeited the rest of it after they called again to apologise for harassing and detaining him on Tuesday.
FIJ earlier reported about how the police dragged him off the road, claimed his use of cryptocurrency applications was illegal, and his surname suggested he might be funding the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
“They became aggressive,” Ojukwu told FIJ.
“One of them said I must follow them to their station. When I asked why, they said, ‘If you worry us, we go handcuff you for here, drive your car go station and nothing go happen.’ I even started pleading because I had a cybersecurity class I needed to attend, and I was running late.
READ MORE: Police Drag Abuja Man to FCID, Threaten Him Before Stealing His N412,000
“They insisted, so I obeyed. On our way, they stopped two other vehicles and dragged everybody to the station.”
At the station, a negotiation began, and the police threatened to detain Ojukwu in a cell with people who would physically abuse him.
He ended up parting with N412,000 in exchange for his freedom.
FIJ called the Abuja Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) on Wednesday, and they asked that the victim visit the FCID to see the commander. When he did, they asked him to return the following day.
After getting his money back, Ojukwu said, “Thank you. I really appreciate. They told me to return on Friday for the rest of the money, but I already told them not to bother raising it. They apologised and that was it.”
FIJ has reported several cases of police abuse of power and extortion. Most of these cases have led to sanctions for the policemen and refunds.
The post After FIJ’s Story, Previously Bullish Abuja Policemen Beg, Return N350,000 They Stole appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.