Activist Alleges Rivers’ Police Extortion Of Over N80m, Gold Jewelry From Taskforce Chair

Human rights activist, Comrade Israel Joe, has lodged a formal complaint with Inspector-General of Police, IGP Egbetokun, the Police Service Commission, PSC, and other pertinent authorities, alleging that officers from the Rivers State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) unlawfully extorted over ₦80 million from Mr. Atubi Davidson, the Taskforce Chairman in Rivers State.

The activist also claimed that the officers seized a gold chain worth ₦4 million from Mr. Davidson, in addition to his Chevrolet and Toyota Camry cars, plasma TV, and clothing.

Comrade Joe has demanded an immediate investigation into the officers’ conduct, and if found guilty, for them to reimburse the extorted funds.

Comrade Joe emphasized that such corrupt practices among law enforcement cannot be tolerated, promising to present adequate evidence in support of his claims. His petition, submitted on September 21, has been acknowledged by the Finance & Admin Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

According to the petition, the officers raided Mr. Davidson’s home on September 14, arresting him and four others, including a woman. They allegedly confiscated around a hundred million naira, primarily intended for the payment of surveillance workers safeguarding oil facilities.

Comrade Joe further alleged that the police forced Mr. Davidson to write multiple false statements, accusing him of being a kidnapper, internet fraudster, and even an armed robber. Despite these allegations, Mr. Davidson upheld his innocence and warned that depriving him of the money would disrupt the security of the oil facilities under his supervision.

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“Meanwhile, they had compelled the victim to write more than five different statements. In some, they forced him to write that he is a kidnapper. In others, they forced him to write that he is into internet fraud and in another development, they forced him to write that he is an armed robber, murderer or a sea pirate.

“In all, the victim maintained his cool and told them about the genuineness of the money and if they refused to give him the money, he would not be able to pay team guiding the quartets of oil facilities allocated to him to secure”.

Comrade Joe and his team, including Com. Marcus, Com Blessing Agnese, Com Terry Oteri, and Com Ajokpe Akpomie, arrived at the CID on September 18, following a tip from Mr. Davidson’s father. However, their efforts to reclaim the funds were stymied by the police’s insistence on retaining a large portion of the money.

“On Monday the 18th of September, my team and I arrived the State CID in the company of the father who informed us of the development. The Police held their ground that they wish to take a better percentage of the money. The team members include, Com. Marcus, Com Blessing Agnese, Com Terry Oteri and Com Ajokpe Akpomie.

“I reached out to the Commissioner of Police,CP Muazu who called the AC investigations and told me to meet up with him. The AC Investigations (Olayinka Ajeigbe) told CP Muazu that the man is a kidnapper and they are carrying out investigations. I met with the AC who told me that they already know that the man is a chairman of oil facilities but he must be ready to part a better percentage of the money and he also wanted the Chevrolet vehicle”.

Despite reaching out to multiple higher authorities, including the Commissioner of Police and the National Legal Adviser of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Joe’s pleas went unheeded.

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“I reached out to Barr. Henry Ekine, the National Legal Adviser of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) who we met and he called the State PPRO who said she would get back to him. The PPRO later called . The AC investigations who also said they are investigating the matter.

“The Force PPRO ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi later sent me the phone number of the CP who didn’t pick up his calls at that material time”.

He Alleged that the police ultimately decided to distribute the extorted money among various senior police officials.

“That faithful Monday evening, the IPO seeing the pressure and calls from different quarters called us to come over when we got there, he alleged that they would send ₦30million to the Inspector-General of Police, ₦15million to the CP, ₦10million to other hierarchy of police including the AC investigations and share the others.

In the petition, Comrade Joe alleged that the police returned only about ₦12 million to Mr. Davidson, along with his two cars, while also warning them to remain silent on the issue.

“The IPO also told us that they would give whatever is left to the victim including his two cars . At about 7pm in the evening, they released the two cars to him, hand over a small bag to him and told us to ensure we leave Port-Harcourt. I was just watching their every move. When we got outside, we discovered that the police only released 9million in dollars and ₦3million in cash making it about ₦12million.”

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He vehemently opposes such corrupt practices and insists on a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to justice.