Public outrage is mounting following allegations that officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka extorted ₦1 million from a man after unlawfully entering his residence.
The allegations were made by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu via his Instagram account on Tuesday. Gwamnishu claimed that unidentified men broke into the victim’s home without a warrant, accused him of being a cultist, and arrested him without presenting any credible evidence. The men, who later claimed to be SCID officers, allegedly threatened to jail the man unless he paid the sum as “bail.”
Gwamnishu condemned the incident, describing it as “criminality under the cover of the law,” and warned that unchecked abuses such as this erode public trust, fuel resentment, and embolden the very criminals police are tasked with apprehending.
“This is not policing. This is abuse,” he stated, urging the Inspector General of Police to take decisive action.
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The activist called for sweeping reforms within the Nigeria Police Force, including:
Full-scale internal cleansing to remove rogue officers
Transparent accountability systems to ensure swift punishment for misconduct.
Regular training to promote discipline, respect for human rights, and modern investigative skills.
Community policing structures aimed at building trust rather than fear
He warned that delays in addressing such misconduct would deepen systemic rot and further damage the credibility of law enforcement in Nigeria.
As of press time, the Anambra State Police Command has not issued an official response to the allegations.