Isheri Oshun Residents Cries Out Over Police Extortion, Intimidation

 CHUKA UBAH

The residents of Isheri Oshun and its environs in Lagos have cried out to the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, to come to their aid over the alleged intimidation, harassment and extortion by the Police officers attached to the Division led by the DPO, CSP Chike Ibe.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the officers were alleged to have subjected the residents of Ijegun, Isheri Oshun and its environs to untold hardship by indiscriminate arrest, intimidation and extortion on daily basis. It was gathered that the residents have been turned to a sort of ATM as they were subjected to indiscriminate arrest and detention in other to extort money from them.
The latest of such harassments and extortion was the arrest of a businessman, Ekene Gilbert Ilomuanya and her sister, one Benedeth Ebere Udeh, and they were forced to part with huge sum of money for their freedom.
Narrating his ordeal, Ilomuanya told our correspondent that he was driving and got to Fire Junction in Ijegun area when some Police officers stopped his vehicle and took him to the Station. He alleged that the DPO, CSP Ibe, ordered his arrest and detention over traffic offence and was made to part with N20,000 before he was released while his  Mercedes Benz was impounded and he was asked to bring more money before it will be released to him.
Ilomuanya further stated when his sister, Benedeth Ebere Edeh, heard that he was detained at the Police Station and came to find out the offence he had committed, the DPO also ordered her arrest and detention until she was made to pay N100,000 for her release.
When our correspondent asked to find out the offence Benedeth Ebere Edeh committed, it was said that she came to the Station as a solicitor and therefore she was impersonating as a lawyer.
When our correspondent visited the Isheri Oshun Division, Benedeth was still in the cell while Ilomuanya’s vehicle was still there.
The DPO, CSP Ibe, was not at the Station when our reporter visited but was contacted on phone and he denied all the allegations contrary to the claims of the residents.
“You know the Division is in a remote area which give the officers advantage to do as they like but help us to tell the CP about what is happening here and many of the officers have stayed too long and don’t want to go on transfer because of the extortion” some residents told our correspondent.