Insubordination: Officer At Zone 7 Cybercrime Unit Allegedly Defies IGP Disu, PSC Orders, Sticks To Extortion – SIXT-MEDIA LANE
“Bail Is Free” Stakeholders Urge IGP Disu, PSC to Sanction Officers Over Alleged Extortion at Zone 7 Cybercrime Unit
As the Inspector General of Police, IGP Rilwan Olatunji Disu, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) push far-reaching reforms to reposition the Nigeria Police Force, fresh allegations of extortion by personnel within a cybercrime unit in Abuja threaten to erode public trust and roll back gains.
Multiple sources alleged that an officer named Bassey ( Fair in complexion) attached to the Cybercrime Department of Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Wuse, Abuja, under AIG Victor Olaiya, has been demanding huge sums of money and property from suspects as a precondition for bail, without the knowledge of the AIG incharge of the Zone and IGP respectively.
The practice contravenes Section 35 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 and the subsisting IGP directive that bail is free.
*Pattern of Allegations*
In one alleged incident, two young men named Ojo Mathew and Blaise Ali Mohamed were reportedly arrested in Abuja without a search warrant bearing the owner of the apartment, alongside a Mercedes Benz GLK. After allegedly finding no incriminating evidence, the officer is said to have released one suspect but instructed him to go bring a buyer and sell the vehicle which is the custody of the said officer and return with ₦5 million to secure his friend’s release which he claimed of finding some incriminating items in his phone.
Non-compliance, he allegedly warned, would result in court remand. The young man Ojo Mathew has been under his custody since last week while waiting for the money to be raised, all efforts by both the lawyer and some other persons to secure his bail seems to be plummeted.
Sources claim similar patterns were recorded in 2024, when another victim allegedly parted with ₦1.8 million as a bail condition.
such corrupt officers that are eroding the good work of the IGP is should be fished out and disciplined for Nigerians to begin to enjoy the ongoing police reofrms under IGP Rilwan Olatunji Disu.
Civil society monitors alleged that people with luxury vehicles are often targeted, regardless of proof of ownership or source of income.
*Why It Undermines Reform*
Security experts note that IGP Disu has repeatedly warned against unprofessional conduct, launching internal accountability measures and strengthening the IGP Monitoring Unit to track complaints. The PSC, on its part, has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on corruption and pledged to dismiss officers found culpable after due process.
“These alleged acts directly sabotage the IGP’s reform agenda,” said Dr. Ibrahim Musa, a security analyst with the Centre for Police Accountability. “If bail extortion persists, citizens will lose faith in the justice system. The only deterrent is swift investigation and public sanction of any officer found guilty.”
*Legal and Policy Position*
Section 35(2) of the Police Act 2020 states that a suspect shall be released on bail free of charge. The Force Headquarters has also issued several circulars reinforcing this. The Police Service Commission’s Disciplinary Committee is empowered to recommend dismissal, reduction in rank, or prosecution for officers who violate these provisions.
*Calls for Action*
Stakeholders are urging the Inspector General Of Police IGP Rilwan Olatunji Disu, to act swiftly on such officers if found wanting in order to serve as a deterrent to any one who decides to toe such heinous corrupt part.
AIG Victor Olaiya is also urged urged to audit all bail records for Cybercrime Department within the last 18 and if possible demand for the possible appearance of the suspects involved so far and hear some scaring testimonies.
Stakeholders also want the PSC to activate its complaints tracking system to ensure petitions do not stall.
“IGP Disu has shown capacity and will. What’s needed now is to make an example of anyone found culpable,” said Barr. Nkechi Eze of the Access to Justice Coalition. “Publish the findings. Dismiss and prosecute where necessary. That’s how you rebuild trust.”
*What Citizens Should Do*
The Police Public Relations Office continues to remind Nigerians that bail is free. Victims or witnesses of extortion are advised to:
1. Document everything: Record calls, save chats, keep bank receipts.
2. *Report immediately* to the Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit [PCRRU]: 0805 700 0001, 0805 700 0002, WhatsApp 0805 700 0003, X: @PoliceNG_PCRRU.
3. *Petition the PSC*: info@psc.gov.ng with evidence attached.
4. *Copy the IGP*
Efforts to obtain comments from Zone 7 Headquarters were unsuccessful as of press time. The Force PRO’s office restated that “any officer caught collecting money for bail will face disciplinary action.”
Editor’s Note:
This report is based on allegations from multiple sources.
All accused persons are presumed innocent until investigated by the appropriate police disciplinary channels.
Amb Prince Sixtus Opara, Publisher / Media Consultant, Public Affairs Analyst, Filmmaker, Defence / Police Correspondence and CEO Sixt-Media Lane Consult Ltd, the Publishers of sixtmedialane.com online leading Newspapers, writes from Abuja- Nigeria. +2349077706166 and +2348036562634.
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