In a chilling tale of abuse of power, a Ghana-based Nigerian businessman, Kelechi Isaac, shares with Temitope Adetunji the terrifying moment he was held at gunpoint by rogue policemen, threatened and forced to transfer N3m on a desolate road in Bayelsa StateStill shaken by the trauma
Can you take us through the events leading up to the moment you encountered the policemen?
I returned to Nigeria from Ghana, where I run my kente business, to attend a close friend’s traditional marriage ceremony in Bayelsa State. Everything had gone smoothly until Monday, August 26, 2024, when I was heading back from the ceremony with two friends.
We were on the Udi axis in Bayelsa when five policemen flagged down our vehicle.
What did the policemen look like? Were they in proper uniforms?
Yes, they were in black police uniforms, but something about them felt off. None of the officers had name tags, which was my first red flag. One had a logo on his uniform, but it didn’t indicate any identification.
They introduced themselves as members of the Inspector General of Police Special Squad, which they emphasised more than once during the encounter.
After the initial introductions, they searched our vehicle thoroughly and checked our documents. All the paperwork for the car was in order, so I wasn’t worried at first.
What happened next? How did things escalate?
After searching the car and finding everything in order, one of the officers asked me for my phone. At that moment, I knew things were taking a dangerous turn. I remembered that the Inspector General had issued a directive that police officers should no longer randomly search citizens’ phones on the road.
So, I politely refused, telling them about the directive. I even said that if they truly needed to check my phone, they should take me to the police station.
How did the officers react when you refused to hand over your phone?
That’s when the situation became really tense. They suddenly shifted their tone, becoming aggressive. They accused me of hiding something on my phone, suggesting that I might be a criminal or even a terrorist.
It was clear they were trying to intimidate me, but I stood my ground and insisted that if they wanted to check my phone, we should go to their station.
But instead of taking me to a station, they started beating me right there. They threatened to kill me if I didn’t comply. At that point, fearing for my life, I reluctantly gave them my phone and unlocked it.
What did they do once they had access to your phone?
One of the officers immediately went through my messages, and that’s when they saw a debit alert from earlier in the day. I had bought fuel on the road, so there was a recent transaction on the account. The officer spotted the debit alert and noticed that I had over 10 million naira in my account. That was when everything changed.
They immediately demanded that I transfer N6m to them from the account. At that point, I realised this wasn’t just harassment; it was a full-blown extortion attempt.
How did you feel when they demanded N6m?
I was terrified, to say the least. Everything was happening so fast, and I was trying to process it all. I tried to explain that the money wasn’t mine and that I am a businessman, while some of the funds were meant for clients.
They didn’t care about my explanation. They said they had also found another account with about N3m, but were so fixated on the account that had over N10m. They insisted that I transfer from that account, and nothing else.
I tried negotiating with them, starting with N500,000, then moved up to N1m, and eventually offering them N3m. They said they would kill me and my friends if I didn’t give them the money. In the end, they collected N3M.
Where were your friends when all of this was going on?
They were still in the car and two of the policemen had taken control of it and were driving behind the police van where I was three other officers. My friends couldn’t do anything; they were just as trapped as I was.
Why did you eventually give in to their demands?
I had no choice. They were armed and had made it clear that they would kill us if I didn’t comply. At gunpoint, I agreed to transfer the money. After they took the N3m, they didn’t release us right away. They continued driving, this time towards Rivers State. When they finally stopped on a deserted road, they let us out. The other two officers who had been with my friends also joined them, and then they drove off in their Hilux van.
You mentioned that the officers didn’t have name tags. Did that raise any concerns for you at the time?
Yes, it did. I started to question everything. When I got into their van, I saw police gadgets and equipment, which confirmed that they were real officers. But without name tags, it felt like a well-organised kidnapping. I realised I had fallen into the wrong hands.
Do you think the officers would have shot all of you if you had not complied with their demands?
Yes, I truly believe they would have. Their threats were not just for show, they were serious. Given how they acted and the level of violence they used, I have no doubt that if I hadn’t given them the money, they would have killed us.
What did you do after the incident?
At first, I was devastated. I felt hopeless and angry, but I knew I couldn’t let them get away with it. I contacted some friends who are lawyers and journalists, and they encouraged me to pursue the case. They told me that since the money had been transferred to an account, there was a way to trace the transaction. I also thank God for the media, because once the story got out, it started gaining traction. The authorities got involved, and now the case is being handled.
How has this experience changed your perception of the Nigerian police force and your sense of security in the country?
To be honest, my trust in the police has been shattered because the very people meant to protect us are the ones committing these crimes. It’s a betrayal. But at the same time, I must commend the PPRO, the AIG, and the Commissioner of Police for their efforts. They assured me that justice would be served, and they’ve been working on the case. I was recently informed that the officers involved have been arrested, and my money will be returned. I’m hopeful that the system can still work.
Did you officially report the case?
Yes, after the media coverage gained attention, I officially reported the incident. I only went to the police station yesterday to give a formal statement in Bayelsa, but the case had already been in motion due to the media’s involvement.
How did you feel when the police informed you that they had identified the culprits?
I was relieved. The Commissioner of Police even called me personally to inform me that the officers had been arrested. He also mentioned that there would be a formal presentation of my recovered funds in Abuja next week which I would be invited.
You mentioned that the officers were arrested, was it based on the bank transaction? Or are you aware of how they were tracked?
I honestly do not know how they were arrested; the police authorities must have found a way to track them, which I am yet to know.
What advice do you have for Nigerians who might have faced similar situations with law enforcement agencies?
My advice is simple, speak out. This happens to so many people, but they remain silent out of fear. When I spoke with the AIG, he commended my courage and told me that many victims never come forward. I encourage Nigerians to report any incidents like this to the nearest police station or reach out to the media. The more we speak out, the more likely it is that these rogue officers will be held accountable.
Looking back, do you think this situation could have been avoided?
Yes, to some extent. If the police force put in place stricter measures, particularly regarding the behaviour and identification of their officers, incidents like this could be prevented. Ensuring proper training and enforcement of dress codes would help to enshrine accountability.
What are you most thankful for after this experience?
I am most thankful for my life. When they were beating and threatening to kill me, I thought that was the end. I’m grateful that I survived and that justice is being pursued. God’s mercy kept me alive.
