After PUNCH report, Adamawa CP warns officers against extorting beer sellers

The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabiru Hassan,

The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabir Hassan, has issued a stern warning to his men and officers extorting money from beer sellers in Girei Local Government Area.

The warning came barely a few hours after PUNCH reported in its Friday edition that the Divisional Police Officer of Girei Local Government Area is massively extorting money from beer sellers and other liquor dealers.

In a statement issued on Friday, the spokesman of the Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, stated, “The Command has noted reports regarding enforcement activities against beer parlours and other liquor-selling premises in Girei Local Government Area.

“The Command wishes to clarify that the exercise is a lawful security operation aimed at ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Liquor Act and other applicable regulations.”

The enforcement involves: “Inspection of licensed premises, identification and closure of illegal liquor outlets, enforcement of prescribed operating hours, and prosecution of offenders in accordance with the law.

“The exercise has become particularly necessary following recent criminal incidents in Girei, including a reported killing at a hotel. This necessitates closer monitoring and regulation of drinking establishments in the area.

“The Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Kabir Hassan, categorically states that the enforcement exercise is not an avenue for extortion or arbitrary collection of money from liquor sellers.

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“No police officer is authorised to demand or receive money from any operator as a condition for release or continued operation. No amount of threat, intimidation, or blackmail will deter the police from carrying out this lawful enforcement.”

According to the statement, any person arrested for violating the provisions of the Liquor Act will be processed in accordance with the law.

“Where a prima facie case is established, such persons will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The Command also encourages members of the public with complaints of extortion or misconduct by any police officer to report same through appropriate channels for investigation and necessary action,” the statement read.

It added that the Adamawa State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, accountability, protection of lives and property, and strict enforcement of the law.

However, the statement was silent on the probe into the massive extortion allegations against the Girei DPO, SP Aliyu Adamu.

Our correspondent’s investigation revealed that the DPO of Girei, SP Adamu, on Friday summoned some beer sellers to find out who leaked his alleged extortion activities to journalists.