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February 25, 2025
This was allegedly part of a scheme that falsely labeled high-profile victims as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) to extort them.
The Nigerian Police Service Commission (PSC) has directed the Enugu anti-kidnapping squad to transport to Abuja the Toyota Hilux vehicle seized from businessman Mr. Olu Agwu, who was allegedly extorted of N62 million following his unlawful abduction and detention.
SaharaReporters learnt that the directive was issued by a panel investigating the actions of the police unit, including State Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, during interviews with the officers involved.
Former Commissioner of Police, CP Sule Balarabe, has been appointed to lead the investigation.
"I was told on Monday that the commission has ordered the anti-kidnapping squad unit in Enugu to bring my vehicle they seized to Abuja today (Tuesday)," Mr. Agwu said.
"I will also be at the Commission's headquarters today (Tuesday)."
Mr. Agwu and his sister testified before the panel on Monday, providing statements and answering questions.
A source privy to the happenings revealed that the panel directed the anti-kidnapping unit to bring the vehicle to Abuja, stating, "They were told that the anti-kidnapping police unit in Enugu had been directed to bring the Toyota Hilux vehicle to Abuja today (Tuesday)."
SaharaReporters previously reported Agwu’s account of being coerced into paying N62 million into various accounts linked to senior police officers to avoid detection.
This was allegedly part of a scheme that falsely labeled high-profile victims as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) to extort them.
Although the Enugu State Police Command denied the allegations in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, SaharaReporters on Saturday released further details linking Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu to the extortion scheme.
One of the owners of the account allegedly used by the police to collect the money, identified as Mr. Emeka Abba, claimed in reports published on some blogs that the Commissioner of Police was not involved in the extortion scheme.
On Friday, SaharaReporters revealed that the PSC acknowledged multiple cases of serious human rights violations in the South-East region by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Chairman of the Commission, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, made this admission at the Southeast Stakeholders Summit on Peace and Security and Public Hearing on Human Rights Violations.
He stated that the commission was fully aware that security checkpoints set up by law enforcement agencies had effectively turned the South-East into toll gates, where road users were allegedly forced at gunpoint to pay bribes.
Argungu said, “The Eastern Region has of late become the hot bed of insecurity in the country and the unofficial headquarters of Human Rights violations. This is obviously a disturbing but avoidable situation and I sincerely commend the organisers of the programme - for bringing the searchlight on this topical national issue.
“I have always identified with the Nigerian Bar Association not just because I am a lawyer but because I believe the Association has a lot of roles to play in the sustenance of the nation's nascent democracy and the protection of the inalienable human and fundamental rights of the citizens.”
“We are no more comfortable with the abuse of office by some security personnel detailed to provide security across this region," he stated.
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