The Imo State Police Command has commenced orderly room trial proceedings against seven police personnel over alleged unprofessional conduct, including extortion and high handedness towards members of the public.
The affected officers include three inspectors, one sergeant and three constables. In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, the action followed complaints from members of the public who identified the officers, leading to their arrest and investigation.
Okoye said the personnel facing trial are Inspector Eyo Udo of the Anti Vice Unit, Inspector Peter Nweke of the Rapid Response Squad, and Inspector Ita Asuquo of Operation Search and Flush. Others are Sergeant Chukwuka Ekwueme of the Anti Vice Unit, as well as Police Constables Onuwa Samuel, Patchris David and Amos Sunny, all attached to the Anti Vice Unit.
He noted that some of the officers were seen in a viral video allegedly showing an extortion incident involving operatives attached to a Joint Task Force operation at Seven and a Half Junction in Obowo.
“Notably, some of the personnel were captured in a viral video depicting an alleged extortion incident involving operatives attached to a Joint Task Force operation at Seven and a Half Junction, Obowo, including other sister agencies whose personnel have been handed over to their various agencies for disciplinary action,” Okoye said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has assured the public that the disciplinary process will be thorough and transparent.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, assures members of the public that the disciplinary process will be thorough, transparent, and in accordance with the Nigeria Police Force regulations, and the outcome of the trial will be made public,” he said.
Okoye also urged residents to continue reporting acts of misconduct by police officers through the command’s Complaints Response Unit. He provided the contact numbers as 08148024755, 08068923224 and 08134783532.
