Uzoma Godswill, a Point-of-Sale agent, was abducted by men armed with AK-47 rifles, later identified as police officers, along Eleme Road in Rivers State.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu revealed this in a video posted on X.com on Thursday.
He tweeted that Uzoma was arrested near Port Harcourt/Owerri Road and taken to Port Harcourt/Warri Road, where the officers took his ATM card and PIN and withdrew N1 million plus a N20,000 PoS charge. The PoS agent confirmed that the man who used his ATM card was armed with a fully loaded magazine.
In the video, Enyinna recounted his ordeal, confirming the abduction, threats to his life, and his eventual release.
He explained that he was driving back to Awka from Port Harcourt, where he had gone to welcome his brother returning from abroad, when the incident occurred.
He said, “I was on the way around 6pm on Elele Road where I encountered about four police checkpoints. After searching my car, they found nothing except baby items.
“I drove about 10km further where I encountered six men dressed in black overalls with their Sienna car. They stopped three cars, including mine. The man who approached me questioned why I was driving at speed. I explained that I was heading to Awka and needed to beat the time due to the bad road conditions.
“The man searched my car thoroughly. After checking my documents, he asked if I had anything else in the car, and I mentioned my two Android phones and a Nokia phone. Then, he took me to the back of the car.”
Enyinna stated that trouble started when he refused to give out his phone as demanded by the men, leading to his abduction.
He added, “The man asked me what I do, and I told him I am a businessman who sells drinks in Awka. He demanded to see my phone, and I questioned why I should do so. I requested to call DSP, but immediately after I mentioned the DSP, he began to beat me. I can hardly hear with both ears now, my eyes are swollen, and I’m still bleeding.
“They beat me severely and forced me into their vehicle to unlock my phone. The only thing they found on my phone was a credit alert. My account officer had sent money for water. They demanded N20,000 from me, and when I questioned why, they beat me again inside the vehicle.
“Later, they accused me of internet fraud, which I denied. They threatened to kill me and asked about my car’s tracker and security code. From Elele Road, they drove me to Warri Road around 7.30 pm.
“They also inquired if my ATM could withdraw N1m. I told them I hadn’t done it before, after which they demanded my ATM PIN. I gave it, and they withdrew N500,000 twice, with a PoS transaction charge of N20,000. Afterwards, they left me with my car and instructed me to give thanks. They left with my money.”
Enyinna trailed the police officers, who eventually noticed and stopped their vehicle for him to pass.
“When they realised I was behind them, they stopped, and I overtook them. After about three minutes, I made a U-turn and returned to where I left them. Immediately, they drove off into another road. After driving a short distance, I found a police checkpoint where I narrated my ordeal.
“They took my first photograph and asked me to report to the police command, which I did this morning.
“Before I reported, I contacted my brother, who also involved the military to intervene. The soldiers instructed me to take them to the PoS operator. The man confirmed that one of the policemen came with three magazines. The POS agent complained about the man’s behaviour as he was chasing customers before he could withdraw the N1m with my ATM,” he added.
When contacted on the telephone, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Tunji Disu, stated that he was not yet aware of the complaints.
He added that officers from other zones also operate in the area where Enyinna claimed he was abducted.
“I have seen your message and forwarded it to our PRO to find out what happened. I am not aware of it yet. So, if the person is around, the complaints will be lodged so that they can identify the person, trace the money, and work on it.