Police probe alleged N22m Bitcoin extortion by officers

The police have set up a Special Investigation Panel on the alleged extortion of N22 million worth of Bitcoin from some Nigerians by a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Cordelia Nwawe and others.

Force public relations officer, Frank Mba, stated on Monday in Abuja that the panel was constituted by the inspector-general of police, Usman Baba, to conduct a transparent investigation into the allegation.

He explained that the investigation became imperative following reports in the media about the involvement of the officers in the alleged extortion.

He stated that media reports listed the supposed victims as Morakinyo Peter and Yusuf Dayo, who were allegedly extorted at gunpoint on July 14, 2021, while driving along Ikoyi/Ajah Expressway, Lagos State.

Mba said the serving officers named in the alleged extortion were attached to the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos.

“Consequently, the police personnel allegedly indicted in the reports have been ordered to report to the Special Investigation Panel, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday for questioning.

Read also: Beyond the police officer’s salary raise

“The Special Investigation Panel is headed by Olaolu Adegbite, deputy commissioner of police (DCP) at the Force Intelligence Bureau.

“As an experienced and detailed investigator, Adegbite is expected to bring his vast knowledge in investigating corruption-related cases to bear in resolving this case,’’ Mba stated.

He enjoined members of the public with similar experiences of high-handedness or extortion by the officers, her team, or by any other officer at the FCID Alagbon, to come forward.

The FPRO stressed that the idea was to enable the panel to have detailed information that would help it to achieve a holistic investigation.

According to him, it is vital to state that the alleged actions of the police officers in question do not represent the standards and practices of the Nigeria Police Force.

Mba urged the public to remain calm as the Force would provide timely updates and make the outcome of the investigation public.