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.

Reports say the businessman was taken to the operational vehicle of SARS after emerging from the bank and immediately taken to his vehicle where the officers searched his car and perused his documents without finding anything incriminating.

The victim was later ordered by the policemen to enter his vehicle and take them to his office in the Ikoyi area of the state.

But a resident according to reports was able to talk the officers into releasing the 37-year-old businessman who told the SARS officers that he was returning to the bank to get some cash for them.

However, the businessman sneaked into the toilet of the bank on the pretext of going to withdraw money for the policemen who waited endlessly for their bribe.

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.

Source: Ripples Nigeria