The Imo State Police Command has disclosed that six security officers, including three (3) personnel from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), two (2) Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and a Police Inspector, have allegedly extorted residents of the state, amassing a sum exceeding N1 million.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, Henry Okoye, confirmed this disconcerting development following the recent arrest and parade of these security officers.
According to Police, under the leadership of CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, the Imo Police Command has arrested six security personnel who were part of the Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed for Operation Search and Flush in Imo State.
The officers, identified as “NA Kelechi Chijoke, ‘m’ 30yrs, (NDLEA), 2. NA David Nwaji ‘m’ (NDLEA), 3. CAIII Nwaka Ikechukwu (NDLEA) 4. DSC Obijiaku Isreal, 28 yrs, ‘m’ (NSCDC), 5. ASC II Omodi Timothy ‘m’, (NSCDC), and Inspector Odidika Augustine ‘m’, 37yrs, (Police),” were accused of subjecting their victims to harassment, torture, and robbery.
According to the police, these security personnel allegedly robbed Nnaemeka Pat Obiji of N360,000 on September 7, 2023, along the Ohii/Egbeada, Orlu road in Imo State, using a bank transfer to Opay POS agent Edith David Jatto with the account details 7039217324. The same group is said to have robbed Mr. Eluigwe Christian of N959,000 on September 8, 2023, and N30,000 from Princess Chisom Duru on September 12, 2023, all through the same POS transfer.
The arrests were made following diligent investigative efforts by detectives from the CP Monitoring Unit and X-Squad department. The complainants were brought to the scene where they were allegedly forced to make the transfers, and they identified the accused JTF operatives who had stopped them during a routine stop-and-search operation and allegedly robbed them.
Upon searching the arrested officers, authorities discovered various denominations of crumpled Naira notes amounting to N8,000, along with 12 phones that had been forcibly taken from members of the public.
The investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated to the public.
CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, has assured residents of the Command’s commitment to identifying and penalizing any errant officers tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Police Force. He cautioned POS agents to remain vigilant and be wary of unscrupulous officers who may attempt to exploit their services and extort money from unsuspecting individuals. CP Barde reiterated the Command’s unwavering dedication to ensuring that its officers and personnel uphold professionalism and respect the rights of citizens while performing their lawful duties.
