The Imo State Police Command has acted on a viral video showing its officers in violent confrontation with a man in an attempt to arrest him.
The incident, believed to have occurred on September 16, 2024, sparked outrage on social media.
According to Henry Okoye, the command’s spokesperson, four operatives from the Anti-Narcotics Unit were executing an arrest warrant for Prince Amaechi, 32, in connection with a drug trafficking case.
The operation took place in Ovoro-Uzomiri Umuosu, Naze, located in Owerri North Local Government Area.
The video, which circulated widely on social media, shows one of the police officers pinning the suspect to the ground while another assisted him.
The footage also shows the suspect, who was carrying a child, being handcuffed as a woman presumed to be his wife, recorded the incident and called for help.
Okoye identified the officers involved as Sergeant Patrick Nwangbo, Corporal God’swill Okechukwu, Corporal Justice Nnorom, and Corporal Goodluck Iwuagwu. He stated that the suspect’s resistance led to the escalation captured in the video.
The police command condemned the officers’ actions, describing them as unprofessional.
“The situation should have been handled with greater discretion and professionalism,” Okoye said.
In response to the incident, the Imo Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, ordered the case transferred to the IGP X-Squad Imo State Command for a thorough investigation.
The statement partly reads: “The Imo State Police Command is aware of the recent video circulating on social media depicting a confrontation during the arrest of a young man and want to assure the public that the Command takes such matters seriously and is committed to maintaining law and order in the State.
“In response to the video, four operatives of the Command’s Anti-Narcotics Unit, namely, Sgt Patrick Nwangbo, Cpl God’swill Okechukwu, Cpl Justice Nnorom and Cpl Goodluck Iwuagwu, embarked on an operation at Ovoro-Uzomiri Umuosu, Naze in Owerri North LGA of Imo State, on 16/09/2024 to execute an arrest warrant for a young man named, Prince Amaechi ( m) 32yrs linked to a case of conspiracy and drug trafficking, based on the confession of previously arrested suspects named; Ijeoma Ezealamba ‘f’, Ebenezer Chukwuka ‘m’.
“During the operation, the suspect resisted arrest, leading to the escalation captured in the video.
“The Command condemns the actions of the operatives, emphasizing that the situation should have been handled with greater discretion and professionalism.
“The operatives involved have been apprehended for interrogation, and the Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the IGP X-Squad Imo State Command for thorough investigation.
“Additionally, the officers will face an orderly room trial pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The Command urge the public to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation while we conduct investigation.
“The Imo State Police Command is dedicated to transparency and will provide updates as appropriate to keep the members of the public informed.”