The Imo State Police Command has dismissed allegations that its officers refused to take custody of two robbery suspects apprehended by the Ebubeagu security outfit, a local vigilante group backed by the government.
According to reports, the suspects were arrested by Ebubeagu following a robbery incident on August 31, during which one Chidi Okolie was reportedly shot. Sources indicated that the Orlu Police Division allegedly declined to take the suspects into custody because Ebubeagu had detained them beyond the legally permissible timeframe.
Addressing the situation, the Imo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, clarified that the suspects were not rejected. Okoye stated that the Orlu Area Command only requested a medical examination for the suspects, who had been held by Ebubeagu for an extended period.
“I contacted the Orlu Area Command concerning the suspects, and they were not rejected. We merely requested a medical checkup since they had been in Ebubeagu’s custody for a prolonged time,” Okoye said. He added that after the medical assessment confirmed the suspects’ fitness, they would be transferred to the State Headquarters for further investigation.
Furthermore, Okoye disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has arranged a crucial meeting with leaders of local security outfits to educate them on proper legal procedures and foster better cooperation in handling criminal cases.
Reacting to the issue, security expert Mr. Chinyeaka Amadi criticized Ebubeagu for holding the suspects, noting that the security outfit is not authorized by law to detain or prosecute suspects. He emphasized that their role is strictly to assist the police.
“The police are trained and legally empowered to investigate crimes and prosecute suspects in court. Vigilante groups like Ebubeagu are only meant to support the police by arresting suspects and handing them over for proper investigation. It is unlawful for them to detain suspects, as this could lead to potential harm or escape, which is a violation in itself,” Amadi stated.
