Police React to The RAZOR Editorial on Onitsha Bridgehead Extortion, Reaffirm Zero Tolerance for Corruption

By Tony Okafor

The Anambra State Police Command has responded to issues raised in a recent The RAZOR Newspaper editorial alleging widespread extortion by police personnel at the Onitsha Bridgehead, insisting that corruption and unprofessional conduct are not tolerated within the Force.

The Command’s reaction followed the publication of an editorial titled, “Who Are the Top Officers Benefiting From Police Extortion at Onitsha Bridgehead?”, which questioned the apparent persistence of alleged extortion at one of Nigeria’s busiest commercial gateways and challenged the police hierarchy to investigate the activities of officers operating in the area.

In the strongly worded editorial, The RAZOR highlighted complaints by motorists and traders that police personnel routinely stop vehicles without reasonable suspicion and allegedly demand money before allowing them to proceed.

It described the practice as so entrenched that some officers were reportedly giving motorists change after collecting money, portraying what it called an “illegal roadside tollgate.”

The newspaper also raised concerns over the presence of multiple police teams allegedly engaging in similar activities simultaneously within a short stretch of the Bridgehead.

It questioned whether such operations could continue without the knowledge or approval of supervising officers, including Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders, and called for a transparent investigation to determine whether any senior officers were benefiting from the alleged racket.

The editorial further argued that the alleged extortion had eroded public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and diverted officers from their core responsibility of fighting crime, urging the Inspector-General of Police and the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to identify and punish anyone found culpable, irrespective of rank.

Responding in a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command said it had taken note of the publication and allegations circulating on social media regarding extortion at the Onitsha Bridgehead.

“The Command wishes to state unequivocally that such allegations do not reflect the values, standards and operational principles of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said.

According to the police, the pride of every senior and supervising officer lies in leading teams that operate professionally, lawfully and with integrity, stressing that misconduct by any officer is a reflection of the individual’s character and not the policy or directives of the Command.

The Command reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy against corruption, extortion and all forms of unethical conduct, assuring that every credible complaint would be investigated and any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the Nigeria Police Force.

It urged members of the public to provide specific and verifiable details of alleged misconduct, including the date, time, location, patrol team identity and vehicle registration number where available, to facilitate investigations.

The police also provided its Control Room, Public Relations Office and Complaint Response Unit telephone numbers for members of the public to report incidents of extortion or other forms of misconduct.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparent, accountable and people-oriented policing, the Command thanked residents of Anambra State for their continued cooperation and constructive feedback, saying such partnership remained vital to strengthening public trust and improving service delivery.