KAMPALA, UGANDA: Police in Kampala has arrested twelve suspects in an operation against imposters disguising as traffic officers to extort money from boda boda riders and other motorists in the city.
Police say the operation followed complaints received from motorists, especially boda boda riders that a section of the criminal gangs in civilian wear had made it a habit of impounding their motorcycles along clock tower area and later extorting money from them before releasing the illegally impounded motorcycles.
ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police spokesperson confirmed the arrest of the 12 suspects who are currently detained at CPS in Kampala.
“12 suspects have been arrested. These include three KCCA enforcement officers whom the riders accuse of colluding with others to extort money,” said Owoyesigyire in a Thursday police statement.
He added that a chain used to lock down the motorcycles in ungazetted places has also been recovered and taken as evidence to aid in the investigations.
Owoyesigyire cautioned motorists that only officers dressed in the legal uniform are mandated to stop and impound the motorcycle and said the operation is still ongoing to arrest more suspects in the growing vice.
“Only officers in uniform should stop and impound your motorcycle, and in case you are affected by such a situation, report the matter to the DPC, Central Police Station, or Officer-in-charge of traffic,” he explained.
According to him, the arrested suspects will be arraigned in courts of law as soon as investigations on them are done.
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