Alleged DPO Extortion Of N250k: ‘Trending Social Media Claim False And Misleading’, Delta Police Reacts

The Delta State Police Command has reacted to allegation trending on social media of alleged extortion of N250,000 by the Divisional Police Officer of “B” Division in Warri, Delta State from a suspect.

The command, in a statement by its spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, described the allegation as false and misleading.

Giving a graphic details of what transpired, Edafe said that the suspect who being alleged to have been extorted was actually arrested for the offense of conspiracy and stealing and was charged to court from where he was remanded in Okere prison, Warri.

Edafe, said in a statement; “The command is aware of a false publication on the internet and other social media platforms orchestrated by one Comrade Peter Edariese alleging that the DPO and men of ‘B’ Division Warri arrested one Godstime Edesiri over undisclosed crime and was forced to pay two hundred and forty thousand naira (#240,000) bail.

“For the avoidance of doubt and to put the record straight, the command wishes to state as follows;

“On the 28th of October 2024 at about 1540hours, one Mrs Helen Ogodogun reported that on the same date, her phone Samsung Galaxy AO5s worth one hundred and sixty-five thousand naira was stolen which was on transit and two hundred and fifteen thousand naira (#240,000) was transferred from her bank account and used to purchase airtime through USSD.

“On receipt of the complaint, the investigation was extended to the bank, and the Police were furnished with the account details and phone number 09060671012 which was recharged from the victim’s account.

“On the 3rd of December 2024, technically driven investigation led to the arrest of one Godstime Edesiri whose Phone contained the sim card that was recharged on the said date that the transaction occurred.

“The suspect opted for an out-of-court settlement with the complainant with the hope that justice could be perverted.

“On 14th January 2024, the suspect was arraigned in court on charges of Conspiracy and stealing and was remanded in Okere Prison Warri, the statement reads.

Edafe, however said that the Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, urged human rights activists and journalists to engage the command through the Police Public relations officer and verify facts before resorting to publication on social media in order not to mislead the public.