“AIG Detained Suspects Under Investigation For Armed Robbery, Extortion” — Zone 9 Police

The Zone 9 Police Headquarters, Umuahia Abia State, has debunked reports alleging illegal detention and abuse of power by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Zone, AIG Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 9, SP CC Faith, the Zone said its action followed a petition written on September 15, 2026, by the President of the Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers, Osisioma Zone, Abia State, over alleged armed robbery, extortion and misconduct by some unruly police officers.

According to the statement, upon approval of the petition, the AIG detailed operatives of the X-Squad (a section of the Nigeria Police Force that handles offences and petitions against police officers), to investigate the matter.

The PPRO said the X-Squad swung into action and, acting on credible intelligence on September 16, 2026, stormed Sunset Hotel, Umuosu in Aba, Abia State, where three suspects were arrested, while one absconded leaving behind his rifle.

Items recovered at the scene included a white minibus loaded with varieties of drugs concealed in a Ghana-Must-Go bag, branded jackets and a rifle, the statement said.

The suspects were subsequently brought to the Zone 9 Headquarters, Umuahia, where an identification parade was conducted. The AIG thereafter held a press briefing before investigation commenced.

SP Faith said investigation is still ongoing, but the suspects, rather than admitting to the alleged crimes, have been sponsoring bloggers and human rights activists to claim they committed no crime and that the AIG has been detaining them illegally.

The Command debunked the allegations, stressing that the AIG did not take any form of bribe, either in cash or kind, from the association.

“The AIG was doing his work and every petition and every feature they have posted is to undermine investigation and sabotage the efforts of the AIG,” the statement added.