Three police officers attached to the S-Squad of the Abia State Police Command have been arrested over alleged extortion, abuse of police powers and other acts of misconduct.
The officers, comprising an Inspector, Sergeant and Corporal, are among seven personnel being investigated over alleged activities that reportedly affected more than 200 people across nine Local Government Areas of the state.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Umuahia.
Emeka said the officers allegedly operated in areas including Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West for more than a year before their activities came to the attention of the police following complaints by the President-General of one of the affected communities.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicated that the officers allegedly targeted patent medicine dealers and proprietors of maternity homes, carrying out purported sting operations during which pharmaceutical products, money and other valuables were allegedly seized.
He said the officers allegedly spent weeks lodging in hotels while conducting the operations, adding that their activities were not in line with approved police procedures.
The AIG said investigators had recovered pharmaceutical products allegedly seized from members of the public, as well as a bus and security-crest jackets allegedly linked to the suspects.
Some alleged victims who spoke about their experiences accused the officers of using their positions to intimidate and extort them.
One of the suspects, however, denied the allegations and maintained his innocence.
Emeka said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other personnel allegedly involved in the activities, adding that the investigation would be thorough.
He assured that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal action, stressing that the police would not tolerate conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the force or bringing the uniform into disrepute.
