Officers assaulting Imo man in viral video to face probe

The Imo State Police Command has launched an investigation into a viral video showing some officers in a violent confrontation with a man.

The incident was said to have occurred on September 16, 2024, during an arrest warrant execution for 32-year-old Prince Amaechi over alleged drug trafficking.

The video shows the officers pinning Amaechi to the ground and handcuffing him while he carried a child.  His wife who recorded the incident however called for help in the process.

Reacting to the incident in a press statement seen by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, the spokesperson for the command, Henry Okoye, said four Anti-Narcotics Unit operatives were involved in the incident.

He identified them as Sergeant Patrick Nwangbo, Corporal Godswill Okechukwu, Corporal Justice Nnorom, and Corporal Goodluck Iwuagwu.

According to Okoye, the police command condemned the officers’ actions, describing them as unprofessional.

He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, had 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 wants 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) 32 years 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, emphasising 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 urges the public to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation while we conduct an investigation.”

The PPRO said the Imo State Police Command was dedicated to transparency and would provide updates as appropriate to keep the members of the public informed.