The Police Community Relations Committee in Imo State has rejected a planned protest over police brutality and extortion in the Mbaise area of the state.
Speaking with journalists on Monday in Owerri, the committee’s Chairman, Bathram Uzodimma, urged the public to stay away from the protest, which is scheduled for August 7.
The protest, planned by a concerned resident, Wisdom Anyanwu, is aimed at addressing alleged acts of violence and harassment by police officers, especially along the Owerri–Umuahia highway.
Uzodimma acknowledged that there have been several complaints about police actions in the area but insisted that the protest was unnecessary, as steps were already being taken to resolve the issues.
He said, “We must tread with caution, and this is why we are against the protest and have asked Mbaise people not to honour it.”
He added that the PCRC had already held meetings with heads of security agencies, including the police and army, and received strong assurances that such cases of misconduct would be addressed.
“We call on the convener, Mr Wisdom Anyanwu, to call off the protest and allow set mechanisms for addressing the issues,” Uzodimma said.
He promised that no resident would be humiliated by the police under his watch and urged the people to give the committee time to work with security agencies.
Also speaking, the former Chairman of the PCRC in the state, Chima Chukwunyere, admitted that police officers on the Owerri–Umuahia road had in the past harassed and extorted money from youths, especially in the Mbaise area.
He said while those acts were shameful, the right approach was dialogue, not street protests, which could be hijacked by bad actors.
He said the organisers had not made proper contact with relevant authorities, and the situation could turn out badly if not properly handled.
The PCRC leaders restated their commitment to building trust between the police and residents and promised to keep pushing for reforms through official channels.
