The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of four officers implicated in the theft of N43.16 million from a total of N74.95 million recovered during an unauthorised arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The suspended officers are DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, who were attached to Zone 7 Headquarters.
The officers, led by Inspector Okafor under DSP Ejike’s directive, arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting cash on behalf of clients in August 2023.
During the arrest, the officers allegedly reported recovering N31.79 million but concealed an additional N43.16 million.
A petition from the owners of the cash led to an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
The police discovered that the officers had conspired to steal part of the money, attempting to cover up their misconduct by claiming technical issues with evidence and spreading false narratives.
They had initially claimed that only N31.79 million was recovered, and requested a percentage of the amount to suppress the case.
Investigations revealed that the officers had taken photographs of the suspect and the sacks of money at the point of arrest, but later claimed that the phone they used was damaged and subsequently lost in an attempt to conceal their actions.
Forensic intelligence, however, showed that the officers had stolen the extra N43.16 million and had moved it out of the FCT to hide it until the situation calmed down.
To further cover their tracks, the officers reportedly spread false information to several online blogs and news outlets to mislead the public and divert attention away from their actions.
Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi condemned the officers’ actions, stating that they were found guilty of serious misconduct, including tampering with evidence, abuse of office, corruption, and illegal duty.
He also addressed the allegations suggesting that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was shielding a cartel linked to the smuggling of new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Adejobi described these accusations as a “sponsored misinformation campaign” and urged the public and media to refrain from spreading false narratives that undermine public trust in the police.
“The affected officers will be prosecuted upon completion of the legal and administrative procedures,” Adejobi confirmed, reaffirming the Force’s commitment to reforms and rooting out unprofessional conduct from within its ranks.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun to address corruption and improve professionalism within the force, despite attempts to tarnish its reputation through misinformation.