Inside Edo
Rights group recovers N30,000 extorted by police in Edo
Written By: Abdullahi Izuagbe
04 Sep 2025 06:02 PM
Benin, Edo – In a significant victory for justice, a Nigerian citizen has successfully recovered N30,000 fraudulently extorted by operatives of the Edo State Police Command, thanks to the intervention of the Bail is Free Campaign organization.
The human rights organization, led by Coordinator General Comrade Justice Oni-Edigin, played a pivotal role in securing the refund and exposing the misconduct.
According to Comrade John Caesar, Public Relations Officer for the Bail is Free Campaign organization, the victim was lured from Delta State to Benin City under false pretenses of a job opportunity.
The ordeal began when the victim received a call from an individual claiming to have obtained his contact details from an engineer.
Upon arriving at Satana Market in Benin City, the victim was unexpectedly confronted and arrested by police officers from the Eagle Surveillance Unit, who presented their identification but failed to specify any offense.
The victim was taken to his residence in Benin for a search, which yielded no incriminating evidence.
Despite this, the officers refused to release him, demanding a staggering N300,000 as a condition for his "bail" despite no formal charges being filed.
Unable to meet the exorbitant demand, the victim negotiated the amount down to N30,000, which he secured with assistance from his brothers.
He was released only after making the payment.
Disturbed by the injustice, the victim promptly contacted the Bail is Free Campaign Group, a human rights organization dedicated to fairness, justice, and equality.
The group took swift action, accompanying the victim to the Edo State Police Command’s Eagle Squad Unit at approximately 11:00 AM on September 4, 2025, to confront the Officer-in-Charge (name withheld) regarding the case.
While en route to the office of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joel Yamu, the victim received a call from his younger brother confirming that the extorted N30,000 had been refunded by the unnamed Investigating Police Officer (IPO).
The Bail is Free Campaign Group commended the victim for his courage in speaking out and reiterated its commitment to combatting unlawful practices within law enforcement.
"This case highlights the importance of standing up against extortion and injustice," said Comrade John Caesar.
"No one should be forced to pay for their freedom when no crime has been committed."
The successful recovery of the extorted funds marks a significant step in holding erring officers accountable and reinforces the mission of the Bail is Free Campaign Group to advocate for the rights of Nigerian citizens.
The group continues to urge victims of similar injustices to come forward and seek assistance.
The command is yet to comment on the matter.
The human rights organization, led by Coordinator General Comrade Justice Oni-Edigin, played a pivotal role in securing the refund and exposing the misconduct.
According to Comrade John Caesar, Public Relations Officer for the Bail is Free Campaign organization, the victim was lured from Delta State to Benin City under false pretenses of a job opportunity.
The ordeal began when the victim received a call from an individual claiming to have obtained his contact details from an engineer.
Upon arriving at Satana Market in Benin City, the victim was unexpectedly confronted and arrested by police officers from the Eagle Surveillance Unit, who presented their identification but failed to specify any offense.
The victim was taken to his residence in Benin for a search, which yielded no incriminating evidence.
Despite this, the officers refused to release him, demanding a staggering N300,000 as a condition for his "bail" despite no formal charges being filed.
Unable to meet the exorbitant demand, the victim negotiated the amount down to N30,000, which he secured with assistance from his brothers.
He was released only after making the payment.
Disturbed by the injustice, the victim promptly contacted the Bail is Free Campaign Group, a human rights organization dedicated to fairness, justice, and equality.
The group took swift action, accompanying the victim to the Edo State Police Command’s Eagle Squad Unit at approximately 11:00 AM on September 4, 2025, to confront the Officer-in-Charge (name withheld) regarding the case.
While en route to the office of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Joel Yamu, the victim received a call from his younger brother confirming that the extorted N30,000 had been refunded by the unnamed Investigating Police Officer (IPO).
The Bail is Free Campaign Group commended the victim for his courage in speaking out and reiterated its commitment to combatting unlawful practices within law enforcement.
"This case highlights the importance of standing up against extortion and injustice," said Comrade John Caesar.
"No one should be forced to pay for their freedom when no crime has been committed."
The successful recovery of the extorted funds marks a significant step in holding erring officers accountable and reinforces the mission of the Bail is Free Campaign Group to advocate for the rights of Nigerian citizens.
The group continues to urge victims of similar injustices to come forward and seek assistance.
The command is yet to comment on the matter.
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