The police warned residents that no individual, irrespective of any claimed affiliation, has the authority to stop citizens on the road or at checkpoints to search personal devices such as mobile phones or laptops.
The Rivers State Police Command has raised the alarm over the activities of individuals impersonating police officers and extorting unsuspecting members of the public across the state.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Command said its attention had been drawn to a disturbing trend involving a group of persons dressed in black attire who pose as police officers to harass and extort citizens.
Describing the development as deeply concerning, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, said the Command had activated robust measures to monitor, identify, apprehend, and prosecute those involved in the illegal activities to the full extent of the law.
“The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a disturbing trend, where a group of individuals portraying as police officers, wearing black attire, and engaging in the extortion of unsuspecting citizens in the state,” the statement read.
“This development is deeply concerning, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, has launched a robust mechanism to monitor, identify, apprehend, and prosecute those involved in this illegal act to the full extant of the law.”
The police warned residents that no individual, irrespective of any claimed affiliation, has the authority to stop citizens on the road or at checkpoints to search personal devices such as mobile phones or laptops.
The command also stressed that no police officer has the right to compel citizens to accompany them to Point of Sale (POS) operators, banks, or any financial institution to withdraw or transfer money.
“It is imperative to note that no individual, regardless of their claimed affiliation, has the authority to conduct searches of personal devices of the citizens, such as phones or laptops, on the road or at checkpoints, or demand that you accompany them to withdraw or transfer cash from a POS operator or any financial institution,” Iringe-Koko stated.
The command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities, hostile checkpoints, or encounters with suspected impostors to the appropriate authorities.
Reassuring residents of its commitment to maintaining law and order, the Command appealed for public cooperation and support for legitimate police operations to ensure the safety and security of all residents.