In Yenagoa, at the Zone 16 headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, a curious incident occurred when Liberty Kelechi Isaac, the victim of a three-million-naira extortion by officers in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, declined to accept the recovered money and refused an offer of police escort.
Earlier, Zone 16 had detained three officers involved in the extortion and sent them to Abuja. Liberty was notified that the stolen funds had been recovered and were ready for release, pending clearance from the Force Headquarters.
On Friday, Liberty visited the Zone 16 headquarters on Isaac Boro Express Road to collect the money. After completing the necessary paperwork, he surprised the police by refusing to take the three million naira in cash and travel to Owerri, the Imo State capital. Despite assurances of safety and an offer of an escort team, Liberty was adamant that carrying such a large sum was too risky.
Liberty explained, “After signing the papers, I refused to travel with the cash because I deemed it too dangerous. Although the police offered me an escort, I declined. It was too late to find an FCMB bank, so I requested a bank transfer instead. A POS operator known to the police was called, and she facilitated the transfer by counting the money, confirming it, and sending it to my account.”
Liberty added that he would continue to monitor the case to ensure that the involved officers are disciplined and face legal charges.
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