A Nigerian returnee, Liberty Kelechi Isaac, has accused policemen in Bayelsa State of extorting N3 million from him at gunpoint. Isaac, who had recently returned from Ghana, revealed this in a press conference in Owerri on Friday.
Isaac, hailing from Nguru Nworie in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, said he was in Nigeria to attend a friend’s traditional wedding in Bayelsa State. On his way back to Imo State, he and two friends were stopped by policemen at the Udi axis in Bayelsa.
In his account, Isaac described how the policemen forced him to unlock his phone. Despite his reminder that the Inspector General of Police had advised against such invasions, the officers responded violently. They allegedly handcuffed him, threatened to shoot him, and beat him severely.
Isaac said, “When I told them about the IG’s directive, they started beating me. They handcuffed me, drove us around, and continued to assault me. They threatened to kill us if I didn’t open my phone.”
The policemen reportedly discovered a bank alert for N10 million on Isaac’s phone, which led to an escalation in their demands. They threatened him with death unless he transferred N6 million. Fearing for his life, Isaac negotiated and ended up transferring N3 million to two accounts provided by the officers.
The transfer details, according to Isaac, were:
- N2 million to an account belonging to Yusuf Mustafa at Moniepoint Microfinance Bank.
- N1 million to an account under Jerry Ventures at Moniepoint Microfinance Bank with account number 8179664512.
Isaac said he has sought legal assistance and that his lawyer has reached out to the Police Public Relations Officer in Bayelsa State. He is demanding the return of his money and an investigation into the officers involved, who he claims identified themselves as part of the Inspector General’s Squad.
“I have printed my bank statements showing the transactions. I want my money back. This is for my project. I am a law-abiding citizen, and I want justice. I want the policemen who did this to me to be held accountable,” Isaac stated.
