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Abuja (CHATNEWSTV) – The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revealed that four police officers stole ₦43,160,000 from a seized sum of ₦74,950,000 in suspected smuggled banknotes intercepted at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in August.
The disclosure came Wednesday through a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, addressing allegations circulating on social media that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun was shielding a cartel of currency smugglers.
“The allegations of currency smuggling were thoroughly investigated, and the police officers were found to have acted illegally by intercepting the cash and detaining an employee of the company which owned the money without authorization,” Adejobi said.
The implicated officers – DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters – reportedly conspired to misappropriate part of the seized cash.
“This group of officers conspired and stole part of the money, amounting to ₦43,160,000, and tasked one of them to move the cash out of the FCT for hiding pending when the heat blows over,” Adejobi stated.
Investigations revealed that the officers detained Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting the cash, and deliberately underreported the recovered amount as ₦31,790,000. They later demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress the case.
Photographic evidence of the arrest and seized cash was allegedly taken but concealed under claims that the recording device had been damaged and lost. However, forensic analysis exposed their misconduct.
“The affected officers have been suspended, having been found culpable of serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, corrupt practice, illegal duty, and acts unbecoming of police officers,” Adejobi added, noting that they will face prosecution after administrative procedures conclude.
The NPF condemned attempts to link the IGP to the scandal, calling such claims “baseless” and accusing “mischief makers” of spreading misinformation to distract from the criminal acts of the officers involved.
Adejobi urged the public and media to avoid disseminating false narratives that undermine police reform efforts, emphasizing the NPF’s commitment to accountability and professional standards.
