…AIG Zone 9 Says Seven Officers Under Investigation, Four at Large
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, with more than 200 people reportedly affected by their activities.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Umuahia. He said seven officers were being investigated in connection with the alleged activities, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend others allegedly involved.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the arrested personnel included one Inspector, a Sergeant, and a Corporal. According to the AIG, the officers allegedly operated across about nine Local Government Areas of Abia State, including Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East, and Ukwa West.
He said the alleged activities had continued for more than a year and came to the attention of the police following complaints by the President-General of one of the affected communities. Emeka said preliminary investigations indicated that the officers allegedly targeted patent medicine dealers and proprietors of maternity homes, conducting purported sting operations during which pharmaceutical products, money, and other valuables were allegedly seized.
The AIG said the officers allegedly spent weeks lodging in hotels while conducting the operations, adding that their activities did not conform with approved police procedures. More than 200 persons are said to have been affected by the alleged operations.
The police boss said investigators had recovered pharmaceutical products allegedly seized from members of the public, as well as a bus and security-crest jackets allegedly linked to the suspects. He warned that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate any conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the force or bringing the police uniform into disrepute.
Some alleged victims who spoke about their experiences accused the officers of using their positions to intimidate and extort them. However, one of the suspects denied the allegations and maintained his innocence. Emeka assured that the investigation would be thorough, stressing that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal processes.
Source verification: Original reporting based on a briefing by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka.
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