How Four Police Officers Got Busted for Extorting N20 Million from Yahoo Boys

Patrick OdeyMay 31, 2023

2 minutes read

The Zonal Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 16, has apprehended and detained four officers who were implicated in the alleged abduction and extortion of N20 million from two suspected internet fraudsters, commonly known as Yahoo boys, in Bayelsa State.

According to reliable sources, the arrested police personnel have admitted that two civilians, identified as Eyi Mattthew Excel and Mayor Goodluck Arab, conspired with them to orchestrate the extortion and kidnapping of the Yahoo boys.

It is reported that the accused policemen forcefully entered the residence of the Yahoo boys last Monday.

Although the victims were natives of Bayelsa State and had recently returned from Ghana, the officers apprehended them and took them blindfolded to an undisclosed hotel in Azikoro town. There, the officers subjected them to torture and menacing threats, including the possibility of death, to coerce their compliance.

The policemen claimed that an individual from Ghana had accused the Yahoo boys of theft and issued death threats unless they paid N50 million.

Following negotiations, the victims ultimately handed over N20 million. This amount was withdrawn in two separate transactions of N7 million and N13 million from automated teller machines belonging to two commercial banks in Yenagoa.

Reports suggest that, after the ordeal, the accused police personnel bizarrely extended a gesture of friendship and protection to their victims in Yenagoa, even exchanging contact information. Furthermore, it is alleged that the officers demanded an additional N10 million from the Yahoo boys a few days later.

An informed source revealed that a friend of the victims, who had learned about their harrowing experience, decided to report the incident to the Nigeria Police Force headquarters using the exchanged contact information. This report caught the attention of high-ranking police officials.

Preliminary investigations have uncovered that Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Benjamin Okolo of Zone 16 ordered the arrest of the implicated policemen. Additional information has indicated that the accused officers were not operating as a sanctioned team and were acting without the knowledge of their superiors.

“These officers serve in different units but engage in illicit activities together. In the past, they narrowly escaped being killed by military personnel along Agbura road in Ogbia Local Government Area, where they had set up an illegal roadblock to extort oil bunkerers,” a source added.

The accused police personnel have reportedly returned the N2.5 million each that they gained from the extortion of the Yahoo boys. However, Eyi Mattthew Excel, who is reported to have been involved, is still at large. Mayor Goodluck Arab was arrested and granted bail but has since absconded.

Mrs. Ikwo Kevin, the Public Relations Officer of Zone 16, confirmed the incident to Daily Post. She stated that the suspected internet fraudsters had defrauded foreigners of $28,000 and were subsequently arrested by police officers.

Although the fraudsters admitted to their crimes and pleaded for leniency, instead of following due process, the officers compromised their integrity by accepting monetary bribes from the perpetrators. Upon receiving information about this misconduct, the AIG ordered the arrest and detention of the implicated officers.

“The information we received suggests that the police officers received N10 million, while the informant also received N10 million as their share. However, they eventually returned N7.5 million from their hiding place and are currently evading capture,” she explained.

The recovered funds obtained by the police officers are being held as evidence, while an ongoing investigation continues into this troubling incident.