DPO Queried, Ordered to make Refund after Policemen Abducted ESUT Students, Collected N10,000 Ransom on Each

Matilda Omonaiye/

Police authorities have queried the officer in charge of a Divisional Police Station in Agbani, Enugu State, following an alleged raid on the male hostel of Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) yesterday morning by policemen under his command.

The policemen had reportedly arrested several students who were preparing for their exams during the raid and locked them up at the station without stating the specific offence they had committed.

The relations of the students were later forced to pay N10,000 each to secure their freedom, while those who either could not afford the amount or refused to pay remained behind bars.

A sister to one of the victims, however, contacted the convener of EndSARS and EndImpunity campaign, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink, who in turn reached out to the police authorities in Abuja for their intervention.

The lady, Adanna Elechi, had tweeted: “So police officers raided my brother’s hostel and detained all the students. Put bail at 10k per student. Many of them are going to miss their exams today including final year students. Dear DPO, I have reported you to @segalink, with your name and phone no.”

The DPO was subsequently ordered by his superiors to invite all those who had paid the N10,000 and refund their money, and also release those still being detained unconditionally.

The police hierarchy also reportedly promised to investigate the incident and ensure that those found culpable are punished.

Awosanya confirmed the development in a series of tweets and also urged Nigerians to always resist attempts by the police to extort them.

Elechi later tweeted to confirm that her brother had been refunded the money they paid to secure his bail.

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