Two Serving Police Officers, Dismissed Sergeant Nabbed for Extortion

​ABUJA — Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have apprehended two serving police officers and a dismissed sergeant in connection with an alleged high-stakes extortion ring targeting motorists around the nation’s capital.

​The arrests, which took place on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, around the busy Transcorp Junction in Maitama, Abuja, followed a swift response to a distress call lodged by aggrieved motorists.

​According to police reports, emergency complaints regarding ongoing harassment and financial coercion by individuals operating in the area reached the Maitama Division at approximately 2:50 p.m. Acting on the tip-off, a rapid response team spearheaded by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO 4) was immediately dispatched to the scene.

​Upon arrival, law enforcement personnel intercepted and took three suspects into custody. They were identified as ASP Michael Godwin (AP No. 188981), attached to the Force Transport unit at the Force Headquarters; Inspector Demeka’a Yarkwan (AP No. 346638), stationed at the Wuse Division; and Sergeant William Udokang, an expelled member of the force.

​The operation took a severe turn during subsequent searches, which reportedly yielded 15 drivers’ licences belonging to various unsuspecting members of the public. None of the recovered documents belonged to the suspects.

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​Preliminary findings indicate that the suspects routinely intercepted motorists, unlawfully stripped them of their vital identification documents, and withheld them until heavy ransoms were paid. Investigators revealed that victims were forced to cough up sums ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦183,000 to retrieve their property.

​As part of the ongoing probe, detectives have begun reaching out to the next of kin of the identified license holders to map out the scale of the operation and document individual grievances. Authorities are currently working to trace and interview all 15 affected motorists to piece together the full framework of the illicit syndicate.

​The Maitama Division has since compiled and forwarded a comprehensive situation report to superior police authorities, awaiting higher directives as comprehensive interrogations and disciplinary frameworks proceed.

​While the public outcry over law enforcement accountability intensifies, police authorities emphasized that the suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.