Imo Police Command has arrested six Security Operatives of Joint Task Force (JTF), deployed on Operation Search and Flush in Imo State, for extortion in Tuesday.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the State on Tuesday, Henry Okoye said the operatives include three NDLEA personnel, a Police Inspector, and two Civil Defense Operatives who were alleged to have harassed, tortured and robbed Nnaemeka Pat Obiji ‘m’, a total of N360,000 on 07/09/2023 along Ohii/Egbeada, Orlu road in Imo via a bank transfer to Opay POS agent with account details; 7039217324, Edith David Jatto. The same team was equally alleged to have robbed N 959,000 from Mr. Eluigwe Christian on 8/09/2023 and N 30,000 from Princess Chisom Duru on the 12/09/2023 via same POS transfer.
Okoye explained that the arrest of the operatives was a sequel to diligent investigating efforts by detectives of the CP Monitoring Unit and X-Squad department, who took the complainants to the spot where they were forced to make the transfer.
The statement reads, “There they identified the said operatives of JTF on stop and search duty who robbed them of their money. The names of the officers include; 1. NA Kelechi Chijoke, ‘m’ 30yrs, (NDLEA), 2. NA David Nwaji ‘m’ (NDLEA), 3. CAIII Nwaka Ikechukwu (NDLEA) 4. DSC Obijiaku Isreal, 28 yrs, ‘m’ (NSCDC), 5. ASC II Omodi Timothy ‘m’, (NSCDC), and Inspector Odidika Augustine ‘m’, 37yrs, (Police).
“On searching the aforesaid officers, different denominations of rumpled Naira notes amounting to N8000 and 12 phones forcefully collected from the members of the public were found in their possession.
“An intense investigation is ongoing. Further development on the case will be made known to members of the public.
“While assuring Imolites of the Command’s determination to fish out the few bad eggs tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Police Force in Imo, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc(+), warned POS Agents to be wary of unscrupulous officer who may want to take advantage of their services and extort money from unsuspecting members of the public. The CP reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that officers and men of the Command refrain from all forms of unprofessional practice and respect the rights of Citizens while discharging their lawful duty.
“The CP encouraged members of the Public to take advantage of the Command’s emergency lines; 08034773600 or 08098880197 and report any officer acting contrary to the professional ethics of the Force.
