{
  "id": 16166126,
  "title": "Police deny demanding ₦100,000 bribe over missing $500 watch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/police-deny-demanding-100-000-bribe-over-missing-500-watch",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-23T08:53:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/police-deny-%e2%82%a6100000-bribe-over-missing-500-watch-in-anambra/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Anambra State Police Command has denied allegations that its officers demanded ₦100,000 from a man in connection with a missing wristwatch valued at $500. The incident occurred when a relative's wristwatch sent from abroad reportedly went missing. The police stated that the case remains under investigation and that conflicting accounts led to the questioning of the suspects. The brother of the complainant, who was entrusted with delivering the watch, mistakenly handed it over to a man he believed worked for the uncle. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the wristwatch was handed over to Simon Tochukwu, who later returned it to the employee, who then allegedly disposed of it by throwing it into a pile of discarded tyres. The command assured that its officers will act professionally and impartially throughout the investigation and urged the public to report any concerns about police conduct.",
  "summary": "The Anambra State Police Command has denied allegations that its officers demanded ₦100,000 in connection with a missing wristwatch valued at $500, saying the case remains under investigation. The command also provided details of the incident and addressed allegations of unlawful detention at the Abagana Police Division. In a statement issued late Thursday, the command’s Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "Anambra State Police denied demanding ₦100,000 bribe",
    "Missing $500 watch case under investigation",
    "Simon Tochukwu returned watch to employee before disposal"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The command's denial of bribery allegations highlights the ongoing tension between public perception of police conduct and the official processes used to investigate claims of misconduct during criminal inquiries.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}