Nigeria Police Suspend Officers for N43.16 Million Theft at Abuja Airport

• The Nigeria Police Force has suspended four officers for allegedly stealing N43.16 million during an unauthorised arrest at Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
• The officers, found guilty of misconduct and tampering with evidence, were said to have attempted to conceal their actions by spreading false narratives
• The force also condemned misinformation campaigns implicating the Inspector-General of Police, emphasizing ongoing efforts to reform and professionalise the police force

The Nigeria Police Force has suspended four officers implicated in the theft of N43.16 million from a total of N74.95 million recovered during an unauthorised arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi.

Officers found guilty

The suspended officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—were found guilty of conspiring to tamper with exhibits, abuse of office, and other acts of misconduct.

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According to Adejobi, the officers arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting the cash on behalf of clients in August 2023.

Concealed cash and investigation

The officers were alleged to have reported only N31.79 million as the recovered amount, concealing the remaining N43.16 million.

Following a petition by the money's owners, the case was escalated to the IGP Monitoring Unit.

Investigations revealed that the officers conspired to steal part of the cash and attempted to cover their tracks by claiming technical issues with evidence and spreading false narratives.

Disciplinary action

Adejobi stated that intense investigations and trials before disciplinary panels exposed the officers' misconduct.

He said they took photographs of the suspect and the money at the point of arrest but claimed the phone they used was damaged and lost.

The officers have been suspended for serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, corrupt practices, illegal duty, and unprofessional behavior.

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Denial of allegations against IGP

Adejobi also condemned a "sponsored misinformation campaign" aimed at implicating the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the scandal.

He dismissed allegations that the IGP is shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria, urging the public and media to avoid spreading false narratives that undermine public trust.

Police suspends beautiful female officers

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that two SPY officers of the Nigerian Police force, Obaze Blessing and Obaze Emmanuella Uju were also suspended.

The police officers were suspended from their jobs for wearing uniforms made for conventional police officers.

Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng