By MOHAMMAD TIJJANI

The Kaduna State Police Command has ordered investigation into officers allegedly extorting motorists and cyclists during stop-and-search operations.

The command made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mansir Hassan.

Hassan said the command’s attention was drawn to a viral video circulating on social media, showing some police officers conducting stop-and-search operations and allegedly extorting money from road users.

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, had ordered the immediate identification and invitation of the officers involved for full-scale investigation.

According to him, officers found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned, in line with existing disciplinary and legal procedures.

Hassan said routine roadblocks and stop-and-search operations had been curtailed, except where credible intelligence indicated the movement of criminals, arms or other prohibited items.

He explained that the route shown in the viral video had previously been used by criminal elements, noting that it was a suburb of Millennium City.

“The same route was previously used by police operatives to recover 20 AK-47 rifles,” he said.

The PPRO, however, stressed that the security concerns in the area did not permit police officers to use legitimate security duties as an avenue for extortion, harassment or misconduct.

He quoted the CP as saying that any officer found culpable would face severe disciplinary and legal action.

The commissioner commended members of the public for their vigilance and urged them to continue reporting cases of unprofessional conduct by police officers.

Hassan said complaints could be lodged with the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) through 09049498983, 08075391105 and 07039675856.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professional policing, accountability and protection of the rights and safety of residents of Kaduna State. (NAN)