The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has ordered an inquiry into an allegation that police officers returning from a counter-insurgency deployment were made to pay ₦25,000 each as a “transit fee.”

The Command, while dismissing the payment as an unauthorised charge, said transportation for officers deployed from Uyo to Jaji and back is funded by the Squadron and should not be paid for by the personnel.

The clarification followed a publication by SaharaReporters alleging that officers were required to make the ₦25,000 payment before being transported.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Command said there was no authorised ₦25,000 transit fee and that officers were not required to finance their official transportation.

“The transportation of officers from Uyo to Jaji and back is borne by the Squadron and not by the officers,” the Command said.

It, however, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegation, stressing that any unauthorised demand or collection of money from police personnel would not be condoned.

The Command said it had consequently ordered an inquiry to establish what actually transpired and determine whether any personnel were involved in demanding or collecting money from the officers.

According to the statement, any police personnel found to have demanded or collected money without authorisation would face appropriate disciplinary action and, where necessary, prosecution.

The Command also appealed to officers with direct knowledge of any alleged payment demand or collection to provide relevant information through the appropriate channels.

It said the inquiry would be based on evidence and conducted fairly to establish the facts of the matter.

The police urged members of the public to treat the reported ₦25,000 collection as an allegation requiring verification pending the outcome of the inquiry.