The Nigeria Police Force has suspended four officers for stealing ₦43.16 million from a total of ₦74.95 million recovered during an unauthorised arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—were found guilty of tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, and misconduct.
The officers were accused of arresting Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, in August 2023 and concealing part of the cash recovered. While reporting only ₦31.79 million as the recovered amount, they allegedly conspired to hide the remaining ₦43.16 million.
A petition filed by the owners of the money led to an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit. The probe revealed that the officers not only withheld part of the recovered funds but also fabricated technical excuses and false narratives to cover their actions. Photographs of the money taken at the scene were claimed to be lost due to phone damage, further pointing to deliberate concealment.
Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi condemned the officers’ actions, describing their conduct as corrupt, unprofessional, and unbecoming of police officers. Adejobi also dismissed misinformation campaigns suggesting involvement of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, emphasizing the IGP’s commitment to eradicating corruption within the force.
The officers have been suspended pending legal and administrative procedures, and the Police Force has vowed to prosecute them to restore public trust and demonstrate a zero-tolerance approach to misconduct.
