How Police Chased My Son Around For Going To Buy Fuel, Use POS To Extort N120k From Us – Victim Of Delta Lockdown

Mrs Nwabuabo Obiajulu, a victim of police extortion in Delta state has given a graphic details on how police allegedly used POS to ‘rob’ her of her meager saving on pretext of enforcing a lockdown order.

The lockdown was imposed by Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa since April 1 in a bid to fight COVID-19 spread. Four cases has been recorded in the state since then.

While imposing the lockdown, Governor Okowa was said to have exempted chemist stores, Pharmaceutical stores, fuel stations to, either, enable residents who needed to purchase drugs or fuel to power their home get them. Also those rendering essential services who can prove their identities were exempted.

Narrating her ordeal in which she was forced to part with N120, 000, Obiajulu said that she still remember vividly that the Delta state Government gave exemption to fuel stations to sell products to people who desire to buy fuel for their generator set for electricity supply to their homes.

She said that based on that premise, she sent her son, Utulu Chukwuweiki, with her ash colour Lexus Ex300 with registration number ABJ306JY to buy premium motor spirit (petrol) from a nearby filling station to power their generating set.

She said they needed the light at home badly that fate day since BEDC had failed over time to provide power supply in her area.

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According to her, “Chukwuweiki was on his way to deliver the errand when a team of police patrol team, led by Mr Okosun in a blue Toyota Hilux and a Range Rover, blocked him at NEPA junction.

“Unsure of the identity of those following him, whom were not in uniform, the youngman manoeuvred his way out of the junction while the occupants of the hilux and the Rang Rover gave him a hot chase.

“While being pursued, my son speedily drove into safety at Ogwa Spot at Ikeleke Quarters in Ogwashi-Uku.

“But the policemen, on sighting the vehicle in the compound, allegedly shot twice at the direction, dashed into the quarters in a rage and attempted to forcefully jack up and tow the vehicle away” she said.

Continuing, she said that having ensured her son was safe, approached the policemen and began to plead with then before she was arrested with the Lexus Ex300 and driven to Asagba Police Station.

According to Mrs Obiajulu, the offence for which she was arrested and “charged” was that her son broke the lockdown order of the state government of which she was asked to cough up N300,000 for bail.

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She added that the police team, led by Inspector Okosun, after much pleas, eventually collected N120,000 before she was let off the hook.

The victim narrated that the police took the money through a transfer to another arrested boy’s bank account at the police station who then used POS to cash the money and gave it to Inspector Okosun.

It was gathered that the erring police Inspector, simply identified as Inspector Okosun, is attached to the Quick Response Unit of the Delta State Police Command.

He allegedly extorted the N120,000 on Friday April 17 at about 12noon at Asagba Police Station near Ogwashi-Uku in Delta.

BIGPEN reports that the police in the state are emboldened in the trend after a statewide broadcast on April 14 by Governor Okowa who had directed the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Mr Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa, to ensure strict enforcement of the extended lockdown.

Reacting to the allegation, Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, Mr Muhammed Inuwa, promised to investigate and flush out such bag eggs in his command.

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CP Inuwa, who was contacted via a text message because his line was busy, said; “Good afternoon. Honestly, I am just hearing about it. But pls could you help by bringing her and her son to my office by 2:00 Pm so that I can immediately act on the matter? “I will be very happy to see you all so that I can deal decisively with such bad eggs within our midst, pls.”

There have been series of cases of extortion, brutality and killing of innocent citizens of the state allegedly by security forces, especially the Nigeria Police since the lockdown started.