The Edo State Police Command has defended the dismissal of Inspector Edith Uduma, saying it was done according to procedure.
Inspector Uduma was reportedly dismissed after attempting to extort money from Sergeant Abraham, a colleague who had been accused of assaulting a female suspect.
Police spokesperson Moses Yamu released a statement on Sunday night, explaining that Uduma did not report the incident as required. Instead, she allegedly involved her husband, Inspector Ibrahim Mohammed, in a plan to demand one million naira from Sergeant Abraham to keep the incident hidden.
Yamu explained, “Contrary to reports from certain quarters, the female officer…took advantage of the situation to enrich herself by calling her husband…whom she conspired with to unlawfully demand the sum of N1m from the sergeant to assist him conceal the matter.”
According to the police, Sergeant Abraham offered only 45,000 naira, which did not satisfy Uduma and her husband, prompting them to inform their superiors and post a video online.
The incident led to an internal trial that ended with the dismissal of both Uduma and Sergeant Abraham. Her husband, Inspector Mohammed, was demoted to Sergeant due to his involvement.
In the statement, Yamu emphasized that “no amount of propaganda, disinformation, or misinformation can absolve her or the husband from facing the punishment.” He also noted that the dismissed officers could appeal the decision under the Police Act and Regulation.
