Three officers attached to the S‑Squad of the Abia State Police Command were arrested in Umuahia after allegations they extorted more than 200 people during purported sting operations that spanned nine local government areas of the southeastern Nigerian state.
Assistant Inspector‑General of Police Polycarp Emeka, who heads Zone 9, briefed journalists and said a total of seven officers are under investigation, with four still at large. The three detained officers include an Inspector, a Sergeant and a Corporal.
According to the AIG, the officers allegedly targeted patent‑medicine dealers and proprietors of maternity homes, conducting fake sting operations in which pharmaceutical products, cash and other valuables were seized. The operations reportedly took place in areas such as Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West, and the suspects are said to have lodged in hotels for weeks, a practice that does not conform to approved police procedures.
Victims – more than 200 individuals according to the police – have described intimidation and extortion by the officers. Investigators recovered seized medicines, a bus and security‑crest jackets linked to the suspects. One of the arrested officers denied the allegations and maintains his innocence.
Emeka warned that the Nigeria Police Force will not tolerate conduct that undermines public confidence or brings the police uniform into disrepute. He pledged a thorough investigation and said any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary and legal action, reaffirming the force’s commitment to integrity.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
