By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has reacted to allegations of extortion involving some of its personnel at the Onitsha Headbridge, insisting that any act of misconduct by an individual police officer does not represent the policy, directives or operational principles of the Command.
The Command’s reaction followed a write-up circulating on social media alleging that some senior police officers benefit from extortion allegedly perpetrated by personnel operating around the Onitsha Bridge Head area.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Command had taken note of the allegations and reaffirmed its commitment to professional, lawful and accountable policing.
According to Ikenga, the Command does not condone extortion, corruption or any form of unethical conduct, stressing that the integrity of the policing profession requires officers to carry out their duties with professionalism and respect for the law.
He explained that the conduct of every police officer ultimately reflects the individual’s personal character and commitment to the ethics of the profession, adding that any officer found to have engaged in unprofessional conduct or extortion would be held personally responsible for such actions.
The PPRO further maintained that the conduct of an individual officer should not be interpreted as a directive or policy of the Command or its leadership.
Ikenga said the Command had consistently maintained a zero-tolerance stance against corruption, extortion and other forms of misconduct, assuring that credible complaints would be investigated and officers found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the Nigeria Police Force.
He, however, urged members of the public with specific information on alleged misconduct by police personnel to come forward with verifiable details that could assist the Command in identifying and investigating the officers involved.
Such information, he said, should include the date, time and location of the alleged incident, vehicle registration number and, where available, the identity of the patrol team involved.
The Command provided its Control Room number as 07039194332, while members of the public can also contact the PPRO on 08039334002 or the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) on 08069262121 to report such cases.
The Police Command, according to the PPRO, remains committed to transparent, accountable and people-oriented policing, while appreciating the cooperation and constructive feedback of residents in strengthening public trust and improving police service delivery across Anambra State.
