The Joint Task Force (JTF) officers captured in a viral video linked to alleged extortion and misconduct along the Obowo axis of Imo State have been arrested.
The officers are currently in detention while investigations continue.
Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, confirmed the arrests, saying the personnel will be handed over to their respective agencies for disciplinary action after investigations are concluded.
The arrests followed public outrage over a video showing uniformed operatives allegedly harassing and extorting civilians at 7 and a Half Amanze Junction, Obowo.
The footage was shared by a whistleblower who accused the officers of acting like criminals under the cover of law enforcement.
Describing the footage, the whistleblower said, “Some of the footage from 7 and half Amanze Junction, Obowo, Imo State, where criminals disguising as officers operate.”
He added, “An officer in the back of a van with several young boys standing. He’s going through their phones one by one, even opening banking apps. That is criminal and illegal.”
The whistleblower also alleged that “an officer inside a Hilux seized a traveler’s laptop while checking papers,” questioning the legal basis for such action.
In another clip, he claimed an officer was heard confirming money allegedly extorted from a victim, saying, “You don confirm the money?”
Lamenting the situation, he said, “It’s sad that soldiers are now part of this criminality. This is what innocent youths face every day along the Obowo road.”
He noted that while many officers remain professional, “criminals in uniform are destroying the image of the honest and hardworking officers.”
Recall some weeks ago, the Lagos state police commissioner had reaffirmed that police officers had no right to search the phones citizens.
There’s been positive reaction to the update as Nigerians await justice and clarity on the matter.
Watch video below
