The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) writes with deep concern over renewed reports of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and extortion of students and young people in Imo State, particularly around the vicinity of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri.
Last Friday, while attending a burial in Mbaise, our Executive Director later visited a relaxation spot within the Nekede Polytechnic axis. What should have been a calm evening quickly turned into chaos as young boys and girls ran helter-skelter following the arrival of police officers reportedly conducting what has now become a “routine” operation – targeting students for arrest and search.
Students who spoke with us described a disturbing pattern: random stop-and-search operations; intrusive searches of handbags belonging to female students; unlawful inspection of mobile phones of young men; arrests for possessing cigarettes, lighters, or condoms; and detention until so-called “bail” payments ranging from ₦30,000 and above are made. We were told that wearing miniskirts, dressing in ways considered “indecent,” moving at night, or wearing outfits resembling security uniforms are frequently used as pretexts for arrest and extortion.
These practices, if accurate, amount to profiling, harassment, abuse of power, and organized extortion. They criminalize youthfulness rather than crime. Possession of cigarettes, lighters, or condoms is not a criminal offence under Nigerian law. Nor is dressing in a particular manner or being outdoors at night a crime.
The Nigeria Police Force is empowered to enforce the law – not invent offences to justify revenue extraction from vulnerable young people.
We recall that similar complaints were raised during the First Women, Youth and Police Dialogue on Insecurity and Crime Prevention through Partnership Building, jointly organized by RULAAC and African Youths Initiative on Crime Prevention (AYCRIP) in partnership with the Imo State Police Command in Owerri on May 23, 2024.
At that dialogue, the Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, represented by ACP Edwin J. Mpat, commended the initiative and pledged improved partnership. The National President of National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS), Comrade Obi Okechukwu Anthony, explicitly raised concerns about incessant harassment of students on campuses across Imo State. He urged that students be involved in campus safety initiatives rather than subjected to intimidation and exploitation.
Importantly, the Police Public Relations Officer at the event promised to escalate these concerns to the authorities and engage students through dialogue sessions to rebuild trust and promote understanding.
Unfortunately, recent reports suggest that rather than improving, the situation may be deteriorating.
Our Concerns
Arbitrary Stop-and-Search Practices – Stop-and-search operations must comply with constitutional safeguards and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL). They cannot be used as fishing expeditions or tools of harassment.
Extortion Disguised as Bail – Bail is free under Nigerian law. The routine demand of ₦30,000 or more for release suggests systemic extortion.
Gender-Based Intrusion – The intrusive search of female handbags and profiling based on dress raise serious human rights and dignity concerns.
Youth Profiling – Targeting students around campuses creates fear, resentment, and erodes public trust in law enforcement.
Our Demands
RULAAC respectfully calls on the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, to:
1. Immediately investigate allegations of extortion and harassment around Nekede Polytechnic and other campus environments.
2. Publicly reaffirm that bail is free and that possession of lawful items such as cigarettes or condoms is not an offence.
3. Issue clear operational guidelines to officers on lawful stop-and-search procedures.
4. Establish a transparent complaints and redress mechanism specifically accessible to students.
5. Convene the promised dialogue meeting with student representatives, including NAISS, within 30 days.
A Word of Caution
Imo State is already grappling with insecurity and strained police-community relations. Predatory policing against students – who should be partners in crime prevention – only deepens mistrust and widens the legitimacy gap.
Students are not prey. Young people are not walking ATMs. Policing must not become a nightly hunt for revenue.
We urge the Imo State Police Command to treat this matter with urgency and sincerity. Protecting students is not only a legal duty – it is an investment in the future stability of Imo State.
RULAAC remains open to constructive engagement aimed at restoring trust, strengthening accountability, and promoting rights-respecting policing.
Signed:
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
Abuja, Nigeria