Students of Ebonyi State University have expressed serious concerns over alleged police extortion, harassment, and intimidation in Abakaliki and surrounding areas, describing the situation as increasingly troubling.
According to PUNCH, they highlighted their dismay that the police, who are sworn to protect lives and property, appear to be neglecting their duties and engaging in misconduct.
In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Augustine Ogbodo, titled “Appreciation and Concern Over the Conduct of Some Police Officers in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State,” the President of the Students’ Union Government, Oshim Tobias Nkwegu, warned of potential chaos if the issues are not promptly addressed.
The letter, dated Monday, August 26, 2024, and reviewed by our correspondent on Tuesday, began with an expression of gratitude for the reduced incidents of theft and robbery in the state under the Commissioner’s leadership. It acknowledged the positive impact of these efforts on the community, while also voicing concerns about the alleged misconduct of some police officers.
“However, while we applaud the progress made, it is with deep concern that we must bring to your attention a troubling development that has recently emerged. We have received numerous reports from students and youths in Ebonyi State, particularly in Abakaliki, of alarming incidents of police-initiated extortion and intimidation. It is disheartening to learn that some police officers, who are meant to protect and serve the public, have instead engaged in activities that can only be described as theft and robbery, targeting the marginalised population of students.
“These incidents of police extortion have created a climate of fear among the students, many of whom have been forced to part with their hard-earned money under duress. In some cases, those who resist such intimidation are unlawfully detained without any formal complaint against them, further compounding the distress faced by our students.
“As the President of the SUG, I have been charged with representing the interests and welfare of the students of Ebonyi State University, in light of the above, …we kindly request that your office issues a public order through the media, cautioning all police officers in Abakaliki against engaging in such unlawful activities. An unequivocal message should be sent to all officers that such behaviour will not be tolerated and that any officer found guilty of extortion or intimidation will face the full weight of the law.”
He requested that the Students’ Union Government of Ebonyi State University be granted the authority to assess the complaints and statements of students currently detained in police cells as many of those cases lacked formal complainants and appeared to be the result of students refusing to succumb to extortion by certain officers.
“Madam, the current situation has caused great unrest among the students and youths of Ebonyi State. Should there be no positive response to our concerns, the students may be forced to seek assistance from the general public, a situation we hope to avoid. We trust that your good office will take swift and decisive action to
Efforts made by PUNCH Metro to reach the Ebonyi State Police Command, for a reaction on the development failed.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Joshua Ukandu, could not pick up his calls when our correspondent called his mobile for inquiries.
He was also yet to respond to the messages sent to him as of the time of filing this report, on Tuesday.