The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered the detention of three police inspectors following allegations that they extorted a man during a patrol operation.

This was made known in a statement released Wednesday night by the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga.

While the identities of both the inspectors and the victim were not revealed, the statement detailed how the alleged misconduct unfolded.

According to Mr Ikenga, the three inspectors were on a routine security patrol when they intercepted the victim, forcibly conducted a search of his mobile phone, and proceeded to extort him.

Mr Ikenga noted that Commissioner Orutugu expressed strong disapproval of the officers’ actions during their interrogation, describing the conduct as unprofessional and unacceptable.

“The Commissioner has directed that the internal disciplinary procedure of the Nigeria Police Force be immediately activated against the implicated officers,” he said.

Reaffirming the command’s stance on discipline, Ikenga quoted Mr Orutugu as saying: “The Nigeria Police Force will never condone any form of abuse of office, corruption or unprofessional conduct from its personnel.

“Such anomalies, aside from negating the professional calling of the police, are unacceptable as they affect the entire execution of policies and directives, thereby widening the trust gap between the citizens and the Force.”