Metro
5 SARS operatives arrested for trying to extort businessman
Five operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) identified as Inspector Taiwo Omojope, Inspector Arigidi Ebibor, Sergeant Rotimi Adesoba, Sergeant Olalekan Olakunle and Sergeant Friday Oni have all been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for trying to extort a businessman.
According to SP Chike Oti, the state Police Public Relations Officer, the SARS officers who are attached to the Ipakodo base of the Command accosted the businessman identified as Immanuel Ibe-Anyanwu, who had gone to a Zenith Bank branch at Ago-Palace Way, Okota, for a transaction.
Recounting his ordeal, Ibe-Anyawu who had earlier written to Ripples Nigeria, said; “It was past 2pm yesterday and I was at Zenith Bank Okota Branch to submit a document prepared on my company letterhead. I was asked to edit a part of it and resubmit. Because I wanted to conclude the transaction same yesterday, I had to go look for a business center around to type in the edit. Across the bank was one and, as I walked towards it, a young, scruffy-looking man accosted me, saying he was a police officer.
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After waiting for hours without any trace of the businessman, the policemen reportedly removed the number plate of his car as the victim said he was forced to later enter his car and speed off after bank workers asked him to leave the premises.
SP Chike Oti revealed that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation at the command’s X-Squad Section.
He said, “In line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, the command wishes to inform the public that further enquiry into the allegation of harassment of one Immanuel Ibe-Anyanwu by SARS operatives at Ago-Palace Way, Okota, has revealed the true identities of the policemen involved in the highly regrettable incident.
“The men, numbering five, are from the Ipakodo base of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and not the Ikeja unit as previously reported”.
He added, that they will be marched before an adjudicating officer at the Police Provost Department for the commencement of their orderly room trial.”
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