The Nasarawa State Police Command has received public commendation for its rapid response to a complaint of harassment and extortion filed by a local student, Attah Peter Williams.
Williams reported that he was illegally detained at a checkpoint in the Ombi 2 area of Lafia, near the College Gate, on the night of Saturday, August 16. According to his account, officers who identified themselves as part of an Anti-Cult Squad allegedly seized his phone, accused him of criminal activity, and forced him to transfer the sum of ₦25,000 to a mobile payment account. An additional ₦12,000 in cash was also confiscated, bringing the total taken to ₦37,000.
After seeking assistance from a civil society organization, Williams was contacted by the police command. He visited the headquarters on Monday, where he was received by senior officers, including the Police Public Relations Officer.
Williams praised the officers for their professional and empathetic handling of his case. He stated that they acknowledged the misconduct of the officers involved and provided him with a fair hearing. While they advised on the general risks of late-night movement, they firmly stated that the actions of the officers at the checkpoint were unacceptable.
“Their swift action has restored a measure of confidence in the institution,” Williams said, urging the command to discipline the implicated officers to deter future misconduct and rebuild public trust.
The incident had initially been reported on Sunday, with Williams detailing threats of torture and disappearance made by the officers if he did not comply with their financial demands.
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