It seems that despite the efforts of the authorities to rid the Nigeria Police of bad eggs, many policemen have refused to turn a new leaf. This seems to be the case of two policemen who were alleged to have robbed a British citizen, Khomeini Bhukari, of N.2m and a Breitling wristwatch valued at N1.3m.Bhukari, head, African division of Energy Solution Limited, said he had gone to unwind at the Millennium Park, Abuja, on October 29, 2011 around 6pm. He stayed for about an hour and was about to leave the area when the two policemen, Daniel Marcus and Samuel Epah, allegedly accosted him at the gate, saying he had violated Nigerian laws by staying late in the park.He told PUNCH METRO that the two men took him to a corner of the park and threatened to deal with him.The two policemen who were reeking of alcohol said you know we can strip you naked, kidnap you or break your head and nobody can save you, not even the IG or President because only the three of us are here. They asked for my identity card, but I explained that I left it in the hotel. So, they searched me and took away the N200,000 on me and my Breitling wristwatch which costs N1.3m, Bhukari said.Bhukar said the policemen demanded his BlackBerry phone, but he begged them, and when they saw him trying to make a call, they threatened to smash the phone.The Briton said he would have been stranded, but for a few Naira notes tucked in a corner of his wallet which the policemen did not see when they checked his wallet.Asked how he got the names of the policemen, Bhukari explained that he pretended that he was not scared, but lingered and chatted with the men for sometime while looking at the name tags on their uniforms.The businessman said he lodged a report at the British High Commission on the third day, October 31 and was advised to report the case at the Maitama Divisional Police Station, which he said he did. He said one Sgt. Samson was assigned to investigate the case.Bhukari expressed anger that about three weeks after the incident, the police had not informed him about the progress of the investigation.He said, At Maitama Police Station, I narrated the incident to a DIO and he assigned Sgt. Samson to investigate the matter. I also went to the Ministry of Police Affairs where I lodged a complaint. One Victor who is the CSO to the minister assured me that the matter would be resolved within two days and that the government would refund the money and my wristwatch.They took me in a Hilux pick-up to the FCT Police Command where I also made a full report to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Wilson. He assigned IPO Alechenu, but each time I call Alechenu, he tells me we are working on it. I think they are trying to cover up the incident using delay tactics.Bhukari, who has been a regular visitor to Nigeria since 2000, told PUNCH METRO that he planned to take the matter up in his home country by going on African Independent Television and Ben TV in the UK.I am totally disappointed by the way the police are handling the matter. They asked me to come to the FCT Command last Friday, but when I got there, they said the commissioner of police was having a meeting with his officers and they kept me waiting for a long time; I left in anger and disgust because I know they were trying to frustrate me, he stated.He said he believed the police authorities knew the men that robbed him, but were shielding them.It is appalling that basic security is still lacking in Nigeria. It seems to me that the police are very disorganised even at the high level, Bhukari said in anger.But the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, said no policemen was posted to the park on the day of the incident, adding that the names of the culprits were not found on the nominal role of the command.However, we are investigating the complaint to ascertain the facts and those responsible. We are very serious about the investigation and the outcome will be made public, he said.
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