The Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello has reacted to the viral video of some police officers who reportedly extorted a sum of N25,000 from a traveller in the State yesterday, October 16.

The governor, in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, commended the leadership of the State Command of the Nigerian Police for heeding to his call to fish out officers who waged riotous attack on an innocent passenger in the state.

The statement read in part;

“It would be recalled that a viral video went out yesterday, showing how a Police Officer assaulted a passenger and also allegedly extorted him of N25,000 forcefully with the use of his ATM card.

Governor Yahaya Bello promptly directed the State Command to immediately fish out the riotous Police Officers who clearly infringed on the rights of the passenger as such flagrant abuse of rights is not condoned in the State.

As a Government, we are pleased with the swift intervention of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Idrisu Dauda Dabban on the matter. We are aware the unprofessional Officers have been identified, apprehended and would be tried immediately.

As a Government led by young people, we believe Police brutality against the youth is a thing we must kick against in view of our recent history as a nation.

The Government of Kogi State will follow up on this case to ensure justice is served and served adequately to signal a deterrent for possible future occurrence.

Our nation will only thrive when the rights of the citizens are respected and protected. This is what the administration of Alh. Yahaya Bello stands for in Kogi State and his wish for Nigeria.

We owe Nigerians a responsibility of protection and security as the centre of the nation.”