3 Police Officers Detained For Searching People's Phone In Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has ordered the detention of three police inspectors over allegations of corruption and professional misconduct.

The directive was handed down by the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, who also ordered the immediate commencement of internal disciplinary proceedings against the officers in line with established procedures of the Nigeria Police Force.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the officers were apprehended following credible allegations that they forcibly

searched a citizen’s phone during a routine patrol and went further to extort money from the unsuspecting victim.

The statement noted that the Commissioner personally interrogated the officers and expressed deep disappointment over their conduct, describing it as shameful, unprofessional, and a complete betrayal of the ethics of policing.

“CP Orutugu frowned at the poor character exhibition of how they accosted an unsuspecting member of the public during a security patrol, forcibly searched his phone and extorted from the victim,” the statement reads in part.

While condemning the misconduct in strong terms, the CP emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined, transparent, and accountable institution that will not condone any form of abuse of office, corruption, or unprofessional conduct among its personnel.

He further described such behaviour as a serious setback to the Police Force’s broader reform agenda and a dangerous breach of public trust that undermines the relationship between officers and the citizens they are sworn to protect.

“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,” the statement concluded.

The Police Command reassured the public of its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct and reiterated its commitment to upholding professionalism, accountability, and integrity across all levels of policing in the state.