Okonkwo made the allegations in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, accompanying the claims with images and videos of individuals he identified as the officers involved.
A man, Somto Okonkwo, has accused officers of the Nigeria Police Force of assault, illegal detention, reckless driving and destruction of his brand-new vehicle during an incident that allegedly occurred in Abia State.
Okonkwo made the allegations in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, accompanying the claims with images and videos of individuals he identified as the officers involved.
He described them as “the faces of some of the officers who completely destroyed my brand-new car with my family inside.”
Raising concerns over their appearance, Okonkwo questioned their identity, saying, “Look at how they’re dressed. How can people dressed like this claim to be police officers, assault civilians, seize phones, and force someone into their car?”
He stressed that “officers of the Nigeria Police Force are required to be properly identified, in official uniform or clearly marked attire and to follow due process,” adding that the incident showed “lawlessness, possible impersonation, or gross misconduct.”
According to him, their dressing and conduct endanger civilians, noting that “this kind of dressing puts citizens at serious risk”.
“Anyone could be kidnapped or harmed under the excuse of ‘police work,’” he said.
Providing details of the incident, Okonkwo stated that “yesterday, around 3:00 PM, I was illegally detained and assaulted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.”
He alleged that he was “forcefully taken from Aba to Umuahia against my will,” while his phone was seized, an act he described as preventing him “from calling anyone for help.”
He added that the officers’ conduct escalated into a life-threatening situation during transit. “While being transported, the officer driving my vehicle was reckless, dangerously overtaking a police bus,” he said.
According to him, “this reckless action led to a serious accident,” as the “car lost control, spun, and crashed into the bush.”
Okonkwo said his vehicle was badly damaged and his life endangered, describing the incident as “completely unacceptable” and “a clear abuse of power and a violation of my rights.”
He called on the Abia State Government to “immediately investigate this incident,” “hold the officers involved fully accountable,” “take responsibility for the damage to my vehicle,” and “address this clear case of police assault and misconduct.”
“No citizen should be treated this way. Abuse of power must stop,” he said, urging the public to share his account “so justice can be served.”
Reacting via its official X account, the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) expressed interest in the case and urged Okonkwo to provide further details, including his contact information.
It said the experience is “unacceptable and should not have happened to you or any other Nigerian under any guise, kindly avail this unit more details including your contact via our DM.”
“Thank you for contacting NPF-CRU,” it added.