The Delta State Police Command has issued a stern warning to Point of Sale (POS) operators against handling transactions above N500,000, cautioning that such dealings could involve them in criminal activities, particularly kidnappings.
The warning was delivered by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe on Thursday morning.
Although the identities of the suspects in question were not revealed, the video captured the police questioning two suspected kidnappers involved in using POS transactions to transfer and collect ransom money.
Edafe warned that POS operators who engage in large transactions could inadvertently become tools for criminals, especially kidnappers, to launder ransom payments.
He cited a recent case involving a POS operator who unknowingly processed a N4 million ransom payment, earning just N40,000 as profit.
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According to the police, “Can you imagine? She received N4,000,000 ransom from kidnappers, and her profit was just N40,000, be wise.”
He further advised, “My message to POS operators: Transactions above N500k can get you into trouble. Don’t be a tool for kidnappers to collect ransom. It must be traced to you. You may argue that you are doing business, but before your lawyer will get you out, you may spend some time cooling off in prison.”
This warning comes on the heels of a tragic incident in which a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and other senior officers were killed during a kidnap rescue operation in Agbarho, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State. The officers were ambushed by the kidnappers during the operation, as previously reported by Daily Trust on Monday.
The Delta Police Command is urging POS operators to remain vigilant and avoid facilitating large, suspicious transactions, which could make them liable in criminal investigations.
Edafe also encouraged operators to report any suspicious activity to the police to prevent being caught up in such dangerous situations.
