The police in Obudu, northern part of Cross River State, have arrested two men, Stephen Apebende and his unidentified friend, for allegedly photographing police officers via their cell phones while extorting road users. This came just as the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, had during his visit to Calabar berated some commissioners of police for being responsible for extortions from road users.
The detained men, who spent their Easter Sunday and Monday holidays at the police cell in Obudu Police Station, were arrested along the Obudu Ranch Resort Road at the police checkpoint just before the residence of the Chief of Staff to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr. Martins Orim.
GISTMANIA learnt on Friday that the officers were furious that Apebende and his friend had captured them while collecting bribe from road users. The situation was further compounded after the policemen discovered that they could not gain access to the photo album of the android and i-phone that was used by the duo in capturing their images. A family source, Ugbe Samson, said, “The two men were released on Monday after the policemen brought in a local GSM phone guru to unlock the seized phones.” It was learnt that Apebende, who works with a non-governmental organisation with focus on HIV/AIDS, would press for legal redress over the matter.
Samson said although Apebende was advised by close family relatives not to push for any case against the police, the plea, it was gathered might not work. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. John Eluu, said he was not aware of the development.
“I have not got that report from the Obudu division. But I would want to advise those affected to come to the Police headquarters in Calabar to formally lay their complaints if anything of that nature ever happened. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Henry Fadairo, will attend to such case if they have proof.” Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, had during a stakeholders meeting with traditional rulers, Muslim and Christian community leaders and traders, said extortion from road users in any state is a reflection of the disposition of commissioner of police.
Arase, who was responding to complaints from a stakeholder on extortions on highways, said, “You can know a corrupt commissioner of police from the conduct of his men on the highway. If I am driving through some states in Nigeria, I easily perceive the personality of the commissioner through his men.”
I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia.
Posted: at 2-04-2016 07:10 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
So he will ONLY listen to the arrested men if they have PROOF. Well, Mr Henry Fadairo the PROOF has been WIPED OF THEIR PHONE.
And by the way do you really need proof. Even those BORN BLIND in Nigeria know thousands of Nigeria police officers extract BRIBE from Nigerians going about their normal buisness!
I am sure Mr H.Fadairo you TOO took money illegally before you "achieved" the "honour," of becoming the comissioner of police. You were just "lucky" there were NO mobile phones with inbuilt cameras or video recorders to catch YOU at it in those days!
Posted: at 2-04-2016 07:28 AM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BLAME THIS ON BUHARI...NEXT TIME THOSE POLICE MEN SHOULD Be careful, THEY SHOULD be very very careful,CAREFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL...
Posted: at 2-04-2016 09:09 AM (9 years ago) | Hero
. who come resemble baboon & monkey pass , u are calling people monkey & u're also living in d same zoo with them, doesn't that make u d father of the apes, gorilla...
Posted: at 2-04-2016 09:00 PM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
dickieponga at 3-04-2016 04:31 AM (9 years ago) (m)
Quote from: Isah Ojogu Abdulkadir on 2-04-2016 09:00 PM
. who come resemble baboon & monkey pass , u are calling people monkey & u're also living in d same zoo with them, doesn't that make u d father of the apes, gorilla...
Hahahahahahha Tank u for dat reply, some people just like to talk crap and dem blive say dem don comment...
Posted: at 3-04-2016 04:31 AM (9 years ago) | Hero