Two siblings have recounted a terrifying encounter with men suspected to be Nigerian police officers, who allegedly extorted over N832,000 and $1,500 from them in Rivers State. The traumatic episode took place on Sunday, July 20, 2025, around 9:00pm, while they were returning home after attending their mother’s 52nd birthday in Etche Local Government Area.
Allwell Amaobi and Chinonso Amaobi, who were in high spirits after the celebration, say the joy of the day quickly turned into fear and confusion. Chinonso, a businessman, shared their experience during a phone interview with Chronicles Reporters on Monday.
“I was robbed by policemen this evening,” he said. “My siblings and I had just left our mom’s birthday at Etche. On our way back to Port Harcourt, we were stopped around County Grammar School, along the Ikwerre/Etche road. A group of policemen, not in uniform, flagged us down and began searching our car.”
Chinonso explained that the officers wore police caps but had no visible identification. Despite finding nothing illegal during their search, the officers allegedly seized their phones, handcuffed them, and forced them into an unmarked Sienna vehicle without offering any explanation for their arrest.
“We tried to tell them we were just returning from a family event, but they wouldn’t listen,” Chinonso recalled. “They pointed their guns at us and threatened us. They made us unlock our bank apps and drained our accounts. I had some money in my wallet from gadget sales, and they took that too.”
The siblings claimed they were not only financially extorted but also physically and emotionally tormented throughout the ordeal. Chinonso said the policemen made it clear that if they didn’t comply, they might not make it out alive.
“They kept threatening to kill us. At that point, we just did whatever they asked to survive. It felt like we had been kidnapped,” he said.
Things escalated further when the officers allegedly ordered them to transfer bitcoin. Chinonso said his brother’s phone was used to send a message to a foreign number: +1 (563) 537-9630. In response, they received a bitcoin wallet address — 187SkzyYHkcBUSnLsFXFg4LLmsGDz-JYJMr — and were told to send $1,506.68 worth of cryptocurrency.
This chilling account has sparked outrage, adding to the growing concerns about police misconduct and unchecked extortion in Rivers State. Citizens continue to express frustration at the ease with which such alleged abuses occur, often without consequences.
Calls for greater transparency and reform in the Nigerian police system have intensified as victims like the Amaobi siblings come forward with their stories. For many, this incident underscores the urgent need for measures that will protect citizens from those who are meant to uphold the law.
When contacted, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, directed Chronicles Reporters to the Eleme Area Commander, Opayemi Olufunke. However, Olufunke denied that her officers were involved.
“I’ve spoken to all my men, including those at the Eleme Division, and none of them knows anything about such an operation,” she said. “Etche is not under my command. Only tactical teams operate across all areas without jurisdictional restrictions. They should check with the tactical units; such an action would more likely be carried out by them.”
The incident has left the Amaobi siblings shaken and continues to fuel debate over the state of security and accountability within the police ranks.
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