Abia: Police Arrest 3 S-Squad Officers Over Alleged Extortion of More Than 200 People

Three officers of the Abia State Police Command’s S-Squad have been arrested over allegations of extortion, abuse of police powers and other misconduct allegedly affecting more than 200 people.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka, made this known during a briefing with journalists in Umuahia.

Emeka said seven officers were under investigation over the alleged activities, with police authorities working to apprehend others allegedly connected to the case.

The three arrested officers comprise an Inspector, a Sergeant and a Corporal.

The AIG said the officers allegedly carried out operations in about nine Local Government Areas of Abia State, including Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

Officers allegedly targeted medicine dealers, maternity homes

According to Emeka, the alleged activities had been ongoing for more than a year before police authorities received complaints from the President-General of one of the communities reportedly affected.

Preliminary investigations, he said, showed that the officers allegedly targeted patent medicine dealers and proprietors of maternity homes.

They allegedly conducted what were described as “sting operations”, during which pharmaceutical products, cash and other valuables were reportedly seized.

Emeka further alleged that the officers spent weeks lodging in hotels while carrying out the operations and said their conduct did not comply with approved police procedures.

More than 200 people were reportedly affected.

Investigators have recovered pharmaceutical products allegedly seized from members of the public, as well as a bus and security-crest jackets allegedly linked to the suspects.

The AIG warned that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate actions capable of damaging public confidence in the institution or bringing the police uniform into disrepute.

Some alleged victims accused the officers of using their positions to intimidate and extort them, while one of the suspects denied the allegations and insisted that he was innocent.

Emeka said the investigation would be comprehensive and that any officer found culpable would face the appropriate disciplinary and legal processes.

He added that police authorities remained committed to safeguarding the integrity of the force and ensuring accountability for officers who abuse their powers.

Africans Angle News