The Imo State Police Command has arrested Joint Task Force operatives stationed at Seven and Half Junction in Obowo Local Government Area following allegations of extorting motorists.
The arrest followed the circulation of a viral video showing security personnel allegedly harassing and extorting travellers along the road.
Confirming the development on Saturday, the police spokesperson in the state, Henry Okoye, said all the personnel seen in the video have been taken into custody.
“Update on viral video involving JTF personnel in Obowo. The personnel involved in the joint security patrol at Obowo, as seen in the viral video, have all been arrested and are currently in detention,” Okoye said.
He added, “Upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, each personnel will be released to their respective security agencies for appropriate disciplinary action.”
In the viral footage, security operatives were seen stopping motorists and checking their mobile phones and banking applications, while demanding money from them.
Travellers appeared helpless as their phones were searched at Seven and Half Junction and Amanze Junction, both in Obowo LGA.
The video also showed operatives drawn from the Army, Police, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps harassing commuters.
In one scene, a police officer inside a patrol van was seen searching the phones of several young men and opening their banking apps. This act has previously been described as illegal by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Another clip showed an operative inside a Hilux patrol vehicle seizing a traveller’s laptop while checking documents. In a separate moment, one operative was heard asking his colleague to confirm money allegedly collected from a traveller, saying, “You don confirm the money.”
The video sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the actions of the security personnel.
Okoye said investigations are still ongoing and assured the public that the operatives involved would face disciplinary action through their respective agencies.
