The Taraba State Police Command has honored four Mobile Police Officers for rejecting a bribe of N8.5 million naira from a suspected kidnapper while on a routine stop-and-search operation.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP David Iloyanaomon, who rewarded them for their conduct, also promised to recommend the four officers to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for promotion.

Speaking at a brief ceremony, in Jalingo, the state capital, CP Iloyanaomon said the gesture of his command is to appreciate the officers for their exemplary display of professionalism while on duty.

He said their good conduct and integrity are in consonance with their training as Police Officers and encouraged other personnel to emulate them.

He listed the four Mobile Police Officers as follows: INSPR. DIferrence Tih, AP/NO. 362424; INSPR. Ngamarju Gambo AP/NO. 362385; INSPR. Usman Haruna, AP/NO. 246517; and CPL Zarudeen Mamuda, F/NO. 517199.

According to him, “I consider their act of restraint and display of professionalism as highly commendable and worthy of emulation by other officers of the command.

“As good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force, I encourage you to keep doing the right thing and accept my sincere gratitude and token for your commitment to upholding the highest standard of professionalism and ethics as championed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D. NPM.”

Recall that on January 29, 2024, the four Mobile Police Officers, while on duty at the Kapanti-Napu checkpoint, intercepted a Toyota Starlet with registration number YLA 321 ZY, carrying three passengers.

During interrogation, the trio could not give a satisfactory account of themselves, which made two of the vehicle occupants flee onto the nearby mountains.

The remaining suspect was restrained, and upon searching the vehicle, the sum of Eight Million Five Hundred and Fifty-Five Thousand naira (N8,555,000) was found.

The suspect offered the whole amount (N8,555,000) to the police officers as a bribe for his freedom but was rejected by the officers.

CP Iloyanaomon further revealed that the suspect has been cooperating with the police in their investigation of past kidnappings he and others had carried out.

He added that upon completion of some of the investigations, the suspect, alongside others, will be charged to court for various offenses including kidnapping, abduction, and offering a bribe to a law enforcement officer. (Vanguard)

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