Loading ...ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has sent a shockwave of panic through its ranks following an uncompromising, blunt ultimatum issued by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, Ph.D. In an unprecedented verbal crackdown on systemic corruption, the FCT police boss warned officers that the command will no longer shield uniform-wearing extortionists targeting commercial tricycle (Keke) riders and motorists across the nation’s capital.
CP Sanusi, who recently took over the reins of the FCT command as its 35th Commissioner, stripped away standard diplomatic police rhetoric to brand corrupt officers exactly what they are: common thieves.
The Ultimate Choice: Badge or Crime
Addressing officers and divisional commanders during a strategic briefing on the ongoing security and traffic enforcement operations in Abuja, the no-nonsense CP made it clear that public complaints regarding police extortion have reached a tipping point, and his administration is prepared to flush out bad eggs.
“We don’t want to hear any reports of extorting Keke riders or motorists in Abuja ongoing,” CP Ahmed Sanusi sternly warned. “If we hear such complaints, it means you are a thief. You cannot be both a thief and a police officer at the same time—you have to choose one.”
The fierce warning comes at a time when Abuja residents, particularly commercial drivers and Keke operators struggling under severe economic realities, have raised alarms over increasing harassment and illegal daily “levies” enforced by rogue police teams at various checkpoints and junctions within the city center and surrounding suburbs.
Dismantling the Extortion Cartel in the Capital
Before his deployment as the FCT Police Chief, CP Sanusi built a formidable reputation as the Commander of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), where he gained a track record for ruthlessness against high-profile criminals and kidnappers. By turning his operational focus inward, observers say the new CP is attempting to completely sanitize public-police relations, which have been severely fractured by extortion.
Insiders within the command told 247ureports that the CP’s direct language has sent a strong signal to Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across Abuja, who will now be held directly accountable for any extortion rings operating within their jurisdictions.
The 247ureports Takeaway: Walking the Talk
While previous police commissioners have issued routine warnings against corruption, CP Sanusi’s declaration that an extorting officer is a “thief” who must choose between the badge and crime is the most aggressive rhetorical stance seen in the FCT command in years.
For motorists in Abuja who are constantly drained by illegal checkpoint charges, this directive is a welcome relief. However, the true test for 247ureports and the citizens of Abuja will be whether the FCT command follows through with the public arrest, dismissal, and prosecution of the “thieves in uniform” who defy this direct order.
247ureports will be monitoring key hotspots across Abuja to see if the extortion stops or simply goes underground. Stay tuned.
