Three police officers attached to the S-Squad of the Abia State Police Command have been arrested over alleged extortion, abuse of police powers and other acts of misconduct reportedly affecting more than 200 people across the state.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Umuahia, stating that seven police personnel were being investigated in connection with the allegations.
According to the AIG, the arrested officers comprise an Inspector, a Sergeant and a Corporal, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other personnel allegedly linked to the activities.
Emeka said the officers allegedly operated across about nine Local Government Areas of Abia State, including Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.
Alleged Sting Operations
The AIG explained that the alleged activities had reportedly continued for more than a year before police authorities received complaints from the President General of one of the affected communities.
Preliminary investigations, according to Emeka, indicated that the officers allegedly targeted patent medicine dealers and proprietors of maternity homes, carrying out purported sting operations during which pharmaceutical products, money and other valuables were allegedly seized.
He further alleged that the officers sometimes spent weeks lodging in hotels while conducting the operations, adding that such activities were not in line with approved police procedures.
Police authorities reportedly recovered some pharmaceutical products allegedly seized from members of the public, as well as a bus and security crest jackets allegedly connected to the suspects.
Some alleged victims who spoke about their experiences accused the officers of using their positions to intimidate and extort them.
One of the suspects, however, denied the allegations and maintained his innocence.
Emeka assured that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, stressing that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
He warned that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the institution or bringing the police uniform into disrepute.
The AIG reaffirmed the commitment of the police authorities to protecting the integrity of the force and ensuring accountability where officers are found to have abused their powers.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
