The Nigeria Police Force, Imo State Command has confirmed the dismissal of seven police officers in the state over an alleged extortion case.
READ ALSO: Nigerians React As Basketmouth’s Marriage Crash After 12 Years
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Micheal Abattam Who confirmed the development disclosed that the seven officers were arrested on November 8 in an unnamed bank at Umuahia, Abia State trying to conspire to extort money from an innocent victim.
According to Abattam, findings revealed that the policemen operated outside their jurisdiction and on illegal duty, were tried and found guilty of the charges levelled against them.
The former policemen were subsequently sacked after being charged to the Magistrate Court in Owerri with Charge Sheet Number: No. OW/746C/2022.
Abattam gave the names of the dismissed men as F/No. 462315 Sgt. Ohakim Chibuzo, F/No. 505455 Sgt. Irome Finian, F/No. 505592 Sgt. George Osueke, F/No. 511966 Cpl. Kelechi Onuegbu, F/No. 512320 Cpl.
Others include Nwagoro Isdore, F/No. 528165 PC Nwadike Stephen and F/No. 528156 PC Ihemtuge Plastidus.
The Imo police PRO said their dismissal was based on the offence of Discreditable Conduct, Corrupt Practices and Leaving Beat.
He submitted that “Sequel to the inundation of the office of the Commissioner of Police with series of reports/complaints by members of the public on Police brutality, harassments, extortion, illegal checking of phones and flagrant disobedience to the Inspector-General of Police directives on extortion and incivility to members of the public, the Imo State Police
READ ALSO: 2023: P-Square Arrives Port Harcourt For Peter Obi Presidential Rally (Photos)
“It will be recalled, that the ex-policemen were arrested on 08/11/2022 at about 1300hrs, in a bank at Umuahia, Abia State, in the course of performing illegal duty outside their jurisdiction and conspiracy to extort money from an innocent victim.
They were defaulted, tried and found guilty of the charges levelled against them, thus were summarily dismissed and charged to Magistrate Court, Owerri with Charge Sheet Number: No. OW/746C/2022.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders, Heads of Departments (HODs), Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and Tactical Teams Commanders of the various units in the Command to ensure their subordinates are warned against indulging in these sharp practices as any Police Officer found complicit will be made to face disciplinary actions.”
A directive was given out to the officers in charge of the Inspector-General of Police X-Squad Unit and the Commissioner of Police Monitoring Unit to be on surveillance to prevent any further unprofessional conduct by the sacked police officers.
He also warned officers and men of the force to be professional and uphold international standard best practices in the discharge of their duty.
READ ALSO: “Even The Apology Na Ego Full Am” — Nigerians Faults Yul Edochie’s Apology To First Wife, May
Abattam also urged members of the public to ensure proper conduct at all times in their encounters with police officers to avoid infractions which may be subject to prosecution and advised them to use the Command’s emergency control room numbers, in times of distress.