The Nigeria Police Force has issued a detailed statement clarifying the dismissal of former Inspector Edith Uduma over alleged gross misconduct and her involvement in a blackmail scheme connected to the attempted rape of a 17-year-old female suspect by Police Sergeant Abraham Uzuobo in Edo State.
The incident, which came to light through a viral video, occurred on October 7, 2024.
According to the statement signed by Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the investigation revealed that Sgt. Uzuobo had removed the victim from her cell to an unused office within the station where he allegedly attempted to sexually assault her. Edith Uduma, the Charge Room Officer on duty, walked in on the scene but failed to follow proper reporting procedures.
Rather than documenting the incident and reporting it to her Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Uduma allegedly recorded the act and conspired with her husband, Inspector Ibrahim Mohammed, to extort N1 million from Sgt. Uzuobo to suppress the evidence. The sergeant reportedly paid only ₦45,000, which Uduma and her husband accepted. When their subsequent demands were refused, the couple reported the sergeant to the DPO and leaked the video online.
The statement highlighted that the disciplinary measures against all those involved were prompt and severe. Sgt. Uzuobo was dismissed from service, prosecuted, and is currently in custody. Uduma was also dismissed, while her husband was demoted to the rank of Sergeant.
However, the Nigeria Police Force has noted attempts by Uduma to undermine the integrity of the institution through unfounded public claims about her innocence. The Force described these efforts as baseless and reaffirmed that her dismissal was based on solid evidence and her failure to uphold the values of transparency and justice.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption, blackmail, and other actions that pervert justice. “The actions of the dismissed officer were in direct violation of the values and standards upheld by the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.
The police urged the public to disregard any misleading narratives and continue supporting its commitment to accountability and justice.
Read the press release below;
https://x.com/PoliceNG/status/1861784887209890294?t=_vo-t0jQtxER325H84484w&s=19
