Abia: 3 Policemen Arrested Over Alleged Extortion of More Than 200 Victims

Abia: 3 Policemen Arrested Over Alleged Extortion of More Than 200 Victims

Three police officers attached to the S-Squad of the Abia State Police Command have been arrested over alleged extortion and abuse of police powers, while four other officers linked to the investigation are being sought by the authorities.

The development followed an investigation into alleged activities of a seven-man police team accused of conducting unauthorised operations across several parts of Abia State, with more than 200 people reportedly affected.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka, disclosed the development during a briefing in Umuahia.

According to the AIG, the three officers already arrested comprise an Inspector, a Sergeant and a Corporal, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining four personnel.

Preliminary findings indicate that the officers allegedly operated in about nine Local Government Areas of the state.

The areas mentioned in connection with the investigation include Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

The alleged activities reportedly continued for more than a year before police authorities were alerted following complaints from the leadership of one of the affected communities.

Investigators are examining allegations that the officers targeted patent medicine dealers and operators of maternity homes, carrying out purported sting operations during which money, pharmaceutical products and other property were allegedly seized.

The police authorities said the operations were not conducted in accordance with approved police procedures.

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The AIG further alleged that the officers spent extended periods in hotels while moving around different parts of the state in connection with the operations.

More than 200 alleged victims have reportedly been identified, although the investigation is expected to establish the exact number of people affected and the full value of property and money allegedly taken.

Police investigators have reportedly recovered some of the pharmaceutical products allegedly seized during the operations.

A bus and security-crest jackets allegedly connected to the suspects were also recovered and are being examined as part of the investigation.

The recovered items could help investigators establish how the operations were organised and whether the alleged activities were carried out by the officers alone or involved other people.

Some of the alleged victims have accused the officers of using their police positions to intimidate them and demand money during the purported enforcement operations.

However, the allegations have not been established in court.

At least one of the arrested officers has reportedly denied wrongdoing and maintained his innocence.

The police authorities have said the investigation will be conducted thoroughly, with personnel found culpable expected to face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.

Emeka warned that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate conduct capable of damaging public confidence in the institution.

He also stressed the need for police officers to operate within the law and follow established procedures when carrying out enforcement activities.

The investigation is expected to establish whether the officers had any legitimate policing mandate for the operations and, if so, whether that mandate was exceeded.

This will be particularly relevant because patent medicine stores and maternity homes can legitimately be subject to inspections or enforcement by authorised government agencies where there are concerns about licensing, medicines, medical practice or public safety.

The police inquiry will therefore examine whether the operations were officially authorised and whether the officers allegedly used such operations for purposes unrelated to lawful policing.

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Investigators are also expected to determine the source and destination of any money allegedly collected during the operations and establish whether any recovered property belongs to the reported victims.

The authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities of the seven officers being investigated or provided a detailed breakdown of the alleged proceeds.

The four officers who have not been arrested remain subjects of the investigation, with efforts reportedly underway to locate them.

The case has renewed attention on complaints of police extortion and abuse of power, particularly allegations involving unlawful demands for money during police operations.

Police authorities have repeatedly warned personnel against conduct capable of undermining public trust in law enforcement.

For the Abia investigation, the next stage will involve taking statements from alleged victims and witnesses, examining recovered items and determining the individual roles of the officers under investigation.

The authorities will also have to establish whether the alleged activities were isolated incidents or part of a coordinated operation.

If investigators establish sufficient evidence of criminal conduct, the affected officers could face prosecution in addition to internal disciplinary proceedings.

Until the investigation is concluded and any case determined by a competent court, the allegations against the officers remain allegations and should not be treated as established criminal convictions.

The arrests nevertheless mark a significant step in the police inquiry into alleged extortion involving more than 200 people, while the authorities continue efforts to apprehend the four other officers linked to the case.

Abia: 3 Policemen Arrested Over Alleged Extortion of More Than 200 Victims