The President of Student Union Government, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Mr Tobias Oshim Nkwegu has launched a campaign against Police extortion and brutality.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abakaliki, Mr Tobias Oshim said he has received reports from youths in Ebonyi State, particularly in Abakaliki, of alarming incidents of police-initiated extortion and intimidation.
He said many of these incidents of police extortion have created a climate of fear among the students, forced to part with their hard-earned money under duress.
The President further said that 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
He appealed to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police to issue a public order through the media, cautioning all police officers in Abakaliki against engaging in such unlawful activities.
The statement reads parts,
“Dear Hon. Commissioner,
” APPRECIATION AND CONCERN OVER THE CONDUCT OF SOME POLICE OFFICERS IN ABAKALIKI
On behalf of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of Ebonyi State University, I wish to extend our sincere appreciation for the remarkable reduction in citizen-initiated theft and robbery in Ebonyi State under your esteemed leadership. Your commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the citizens is truly commendable, and we acknowledge the positive impact it has had on our community.
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 marginalized 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 the responsibility of representing the interests and welfare of the students of Ebonyi State University. In light of the above, I humbly make the following requests:
1. PUBLIC STATEMENT AND MEDIA CAUTION:
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. It is imperative that a clear and unequivocal message is sent to all officers that such behavior will not be tolerated, and that any officer found guilty of extortion or intimidation will face the full weight of the law.
2. CASE REVIEW WARRANT:
We respectfully request that the Students’ Union Government of Ebonyi State University be granted the authority to assess the complaints and statements of students currently detained in your cells. This is particularly important as many of these cases lack formal complainants and appear to be the result of students refusing to succumb to extortion demands 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 address these concerns, thereby restoring the confidence of the students in the police force.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We remain hopeful that under your leadership, the Ebonyi State Police Command will continue to uphold the principles of justice and fairness for all citizens.”
Yours faithfully,
Oshim Tobias Nkwegu
President, SUG,
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki”.
STAY WITH IGBERE TV. AFRICA’S NO1 COMMUNITY TV.
