Imo police ban use of unmarked vehicles, tricycles for patrols

The Imo State Police Command has banned the use of unmarked vehicles, mini-buses, and tricycles by police teams during patrols across the state.

The State Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma announced the directive in response to public complaints alleging harassment, intimidation, and extortion by some tactical officers using unapproved and unofficial vehicles.

Aboki condemned the practice as “grossly unprofessional” and unacceptable under current policing standards, warning that any team found violating the directive would be sanctioned.

He said the commanders of violating teams will be held vicariously liable, and members of the public are encouraged to report any violations.

“The police command is committed to upholding professionalism, accountability, and ethical policing standards in line with the vision of the country’s inspector-general of police”, a statement issued by the command spokesman, Henry Okoye said.

The ban comes amid ongoing cases of police brutality, extortion, and other unprofessional activities in Nigeria, despite sanctions by police authorities, such as dismissal from service.

In February this year, for instance, police authorities in Imo State launched an investigation into alleged extortion and assault of a couple by operatives in the state.

The Imo extortion incident occurred less than one week after police authorities began interrogation of officers who were filmed assaulting a man in Abia State.

Within the same period, police authorities in Abia State dismissed three officers for allegedly engaging in abduction and extortion.

In October last year, police in Ebonyi began an orderly room trial of officers filmed extorting motorists in the state.

Earlier in the same month, the police in Imo State began another orderly room trial of four officers seen in a viral video clip extorting motorists in the state.

About three months earlier, police operatives in Bayelsa State extorted N3 million from a Nigerian man at gunpoint.

The officers were subsequently arrested after the victim petitioned police authorities.

The police operatives later returned the N3 million to the victim, about three weeks later.

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