Abuja — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has debunked circulating reports claiming that its officers left a walkie-talkie in a taxi after allegedly attempting to extort the driver.
The rumor, which gained traction on social media platform X, stemmed from a video broadcast by Brekete Family Radio. In the video, the station’s founder, Ahmed Isa, alleged that some policemen, after demanding ₦2000 from a taxi driver, forgot their walkie-talkie in the vehicle. According to Isa, the officers stopped the taxi due to concerns over one of its tires, and after some negotiation, the driver ended up paying ₦1000.
Responding to the allegations on Tuesday, FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, firmly dismissed the claims made in the video. Adeh clarified that no walkie-talkie belonging to the FCT Police Command had recently gone missing.
In a statement posted on her X handle, SP Adeh stated, “The FCT command has received numerous calls regarding a viral video suggesting that officers tried to extort a motorist and left behind a walkie-talkie in the process. While we take such accusations seriously, we encourage the public to verify information before spreading it.”
She went on to criticize the video for being unsubstantiated, urging the Brekete Family Radio anchor to have sought clarification from the police before making such claims public.
Adeh also noted that the device mentioned in the video might be linked to one of three walkie-talkies reported missing in Gwagwalada in 2023, adding that the FCT Command’s Communications Department has confirmed that all walkie-talkies currently in use are accounted for, with no recent reports of missing equipment.
The police further urged the public to approach such stories with caution and avoid drawing conclusions without proper investigation or verification.
