A mobile police corporal identified as James Ameh who attempted to stop his colleagues from extorting money from a commercial bus driver at the Eleme Junction intersection/flyover, Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State was beaten to a coma, Thursday evening.
Eyewitnesses said the policemen numbering about six were collecting various sums of money from commercial bus drivers, depending on the circumstance.
Trouble started when they demanded an unspecified amount from a bus driver coming from the Ogoni area and carrying a mobile policeman at the front seat, but the policemen ignored their colleague who tried to discourage them.
Worried by their attitude, he decided to come down from the bus and asked the driver not to part with the money, a situation that led to a heated argument amongst the security operatives.
But the situation degenerated as the six policemen attached to the Elimgbu Divisional Police headquarters descended on the police corporal, beating him to stupor.
It was further leant that with the help of sympathizers and Commander of the Mopol 56, he was rushed to the Police Clinic at old GRA for treatment.
A close security source said that the six culprits have been arrested.
When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Rivers State Police Command, Ben Ugbuegbulam, said he was not aware of the incident.
Meanwhile, a radio station in Port Harcourt had reported on Friday morning that the police spokesman confirmed the incident.