RismadarVoice Reporters
September 19, 2026
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 affecting more than 200 people.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Polycarp Emeka, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Umuahia.
Emeka said seven officers were being investigated in connection with the allegations, while efforts were underway to apprehend other personnel allegedly involved.
The arrested officers comprise an Inspector, a Sergeant and a Corporal.
According to the AIG, the officers allegedly operated across about nine local government areas of the state, including Aba, Obingwa, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.
He said the alleged activities had continued for more than a year before the police authorities received complaints from the President-General of one of the affected communities.
Preliminary investigations, he said, indicated that the officers allegedly targeted patent medicine dealers and operators of maternity homes.
The suspects were accused of carrying out purported sting operations during which pharmaceutical products, cash and other valuables were allegedly seized from members of the public.
Emeka said the officers allegedly spent weeks lodging in hotels while conducting the operations, adding that their activities were not authorised or consistent with approved police procedures.
More than 200 people were reportedly affected by the alleged operations.
The police authorities have recovered pharmaceutical products allegedly seized from victims, alongside a bus and security-crest jackets reportedly linked to the suspects.
Emeka warned that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate misconduct capable of eroding public confidence in the institution or tarnishing the image of its personnel.
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.
The AIG assured that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, adding that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary and legal action.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police authorities to protecting the integrity of the force and ensuring accountability for officers found to have abused their powers.
