Students at Ebonyi State University have raised serious concerns about alleged extortion, harassment, and intimidation by police officers in the state, particularly in the Abakaliki area. The students claim that the police, who are meant to protect citizens, are instead exploiting and intimidating them, leading to a growing sense of fear and frustration.
In a formal letter to the Commissioner of Police, Augustine Ogbodo, the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comrade Oshim Tobias Nkwegu, expressed appreciation for the reduction in theft and robbery under the current police leadership. However, he highlighted the troubling reports of police misconduct targeting students and youth.
The letter, dated August 26, 2024, outlines the students’ grievances, noting that some police officers have engaged in what the students describe as “theft and robbery” through extortion and intimidation. The SUG President emphasized that these actions have created a climate of fear, with students being forced to part with their money under duress. Those who resist are reportedly detained without formal charges, further escalating their distress.
Nkwegu called on the police to issue a public statement through the media, warning officers against such unlawful activities. He also requested that the SUG be granted access to assess the complaints and statements of students currently detained by the police, as many cases seem to be the result of students refusing to succumb to extortion.
The SUG President warned that if these concerns are not addressed, students may be forced to seek public assistance, a situation they hope to avoid. He urged the police to take swift and decisive action to restore students’ confidence in the force.
In response, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joshua Ukandu, acknowledged the SUG President’s letter but stated that no specific incidents of extortion or harassment had been reported. He encouraged the students to report any such incidents directly to the police, noting that the command cannot be everywhere and relies on public reports to address misconduct.
The situation remains tense as students await further action from the police, hoping for a resolution that will address their concerns and restore trust in law enforcement.
