A really troubling incident has been reported in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State, where police officers are accused of extorting and harassing over 50 youths at a checkpoint on the Enyiogugu Mbaise road.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the youths were forced at gunpoint to transfer money from their bank accounts to designated POS account numbers.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage among residents, who are demanding that traditional rulers and community leaders intervene to put an end to the alleged abuses.
The extortion has also forced many youths to avoid the checkpoint; instead they travel at night and expose themselves to increased risks of robbery and kidnapping.
Stanley, an eyewitness, who spoke to journalists on the development, has urged the Imo State Police Command to investigate and address the situation immediately.
He noted that similar incidents had been reported in the area, highlighting the need for swift action to ensure the safety and security of the youths in the community.
“The Imo State Police Command has been urged to take immediate action to address the situation and ensure the safety and security of the youths in the community.
“It is worth noting that there have been reports of insecurity in Imo State, including kidnapping and armed robbery.
“The state government and security agencies have been working to address the situation, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of citizens,”
he told journalists in Imo state.
Meanwhile in response to the allegations, the police spokesman in the state, Henry Okoye, acknowledged the complaint and assured that necessary steps had been taken to apprehend and punish any officers found culpable.
“This complaint is acknowledged, necessary steps have been initiated to look into this and ensure that officers found culpable are severely sanctioned,” he noted.
