Police deny demanding ₦100,000 bribe over missing $500 watch

The Anambra State Police Command has denied allegations that its officers demanded ₦100,000 in connection with a missing wristwatch valued at $500, saying the case remains under investigation.

The command also provided details of the incident and addressed allegations of unlawful detention at the Abagana Police Division.

In a statement issued late Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the complainant reported on October 17, 2026, that a wristwatch sent from abroad by a relative for delivery to the complainant’s uncle in Nwafia had gone missing.

According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that the complainant’s brother had been entrusted with delivering the watch but mistakenly handed it to a man he believed worked for the intended recipient’s uncle.

The statement explained that the brother went to a vulcanising workshop after being told that a tyre was usually parked in front of his uncle’s shop. He met one Igwe Arinze, whom he mistakenly identified as the uncle’s employee.

“Upon inquiry, Arinze reportedly informed him that his master was away. Consequently, the brother handed the wristwatch to him for onward delivery, unaware that he had arrived at the wrong premises,” the statement said.

The police said Arinze was invited for questioning after the intended recipient denied receiving the watch.

During the interview, he reportedly said he had kept the item before handing it to his employer, identified as Simon Tochukwu, when he returned.

Simon was eventually reached on October 20 and reportedly admitted receiving the watch from his employee.

However, he allegedly said he later returned it to the employee and instructed him to discard it because he believed it was an old wristwatch.

“Further questioning indicated that the wristwatch had allegedly been thrown into a pile of discarded tyres, where subsequent efforts to locate it proved unsuccessful,” the statement added.

The command said the parties were questioned because of conflicting accounts and the need to establish what happened to the missing item.

It added that the suspect was released after questioning and directed to return to the division on October 23 for further clarification and follow-up on efforts to locate the wristwatch.

Addressing the allegation of a ₦100,000 demand, Ikenga said the command denied that its officers requested the money in connection with the case.

“On the allegation of a ₦100,000 demand, the Command denies the allegation that ₦100,000 was demanded in connection with the case. The handling of the matter was directed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the receipt, transfer and alleged disposal of the missing wristwatch,” the statement said.

The command maintained that its officers were expected to act professionally, impartially and within the law, adding that allegations of misconduct brought to its attention would be treated seriously.

“The case remains under investigation, and the Command will take appropriate lawful steps upon the conclusion of the necessary investigative processes,” Ikenga added.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights, urging members of the public to report concerns about police conduct through the appropriate channels.