The Imo State Police Command has apprehended three National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officers and two Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers on charges of harassing and extorting residents in the state. Among those detained is a 37-year-old police inspector whose identity remains undisclosed due to similar allegations.
ASP Henry Okoye, the spokesperson for the command, disclosed these arrests during a press briefing held in Owerri, the capital of Imo state. Okoye asserted that the suspects had gained notoriety for unlawfully extorting unsuspecting civilians, with a particular focus on Imo’s youth population. To carry out their illicit activities, the officers were found to be using point-of-sale (POS) machines.
He further explained that these officers exploited the prevailing security situation in the state by operating under the guise of “Operation Search and Flush Criminals.” Under this cover, they systematically targeted and extorted members of the public, especially young individuals, often seizing their mobile phones and causing them significant distress.
ASP Okoye reassured the public that swift action would be taken to conclude the investigation and ensure that the suspects face legal consequences for their actions.