Three police officers attached to the S-Squad of the Abia State Police Command have been arrested over allegations of extortion, abuse of power and other acts of misconduct reportedly affecting more than 200 people.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Umuahia.
Emeka said seven officers were being investigated over the alleged activities, with three already arrested and efforts underway to apprehend others allegedly linked to the case.
Those arrested include an Inspector, a Sergeant and a Corporal.
According to the AIG, the officers allegedly operated in about nine Local Government Areas of Abia State, including Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.
Alleged modus operandi
Emeka said the alleged activities had continued for more than a year before the police authorities received complaints from the President-General of one of the affected communities.
Preliminary investigations, according to him, showed that the officers allegedly targeted patent medicine dealers and proprietors of maternity homes.
The suspects were accused of conducting purported sting operations during which pharmaceutical products, cash and other valuables were allegedly seized.
The AIG further alleged that the officers sometimes spent weeks in hotels while carrying out the operations, describing their conduct as inconsistent with approved police procedures.
More than 200 people were reportedly affected by the alleged operations.
The police said investigators had recovered some pharmaceutical products allegedly seized from members of the public, as well as a bus and security-crest jackets reportedly linked to the suspects.
Emeka 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 who spoke about their experiences accused the officers of using their positions to intimidate and extort them.
However, one of the arrested officers denied the allegations and maintained his innocence.
The AIG assured the public that the investigation would be thorough, adding that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police authorities to protecting the integrity of the force and ensuring that officers who abuse their powers are held accountable.
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