…RULAAC Writes, CP Abia, Alleges Intimidation, Unlawful Arrest, Abuse of Power By Woman Police
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Abia State Police Command over a disturbing incident of police intimidation, unlawful arrest, and abuse of authority involving a female police officer attached to the Acops Division in Aba and other accomplices.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said that on June 24, 2025, RULAAC was contacted by Ms. Ugochi Agbara, a Lagos-based resident, who narrated a troubling experience that transpired during her interstate travel from Lagos to Aba.
According to Ms. Agbara, she boarded a De Young Shall Grow transport bus from Jibowu, Lagos, heading to Aba.
At Onitsha, she and other passengers heading to Aba and Owerri were transferred to another bus, in which she had to stand due to a lack of available seating.
When a seat later became available around Orlu, she attempted to sit but was prevented by a male passenger who falsely claimed the seat was taken.
The same passenger later lay across both seats, prompting Ms. Agbara to question him.
An exchange of words followed, and other passengers intervened. She eventually took a seat when more passengers disembarked at Owerri.
Upon arrival in Aba, and while retrieving her luggage, two men—one identified as Inspector Christian—approached her, accompanied shortly by a woman who turned out to be a female police officer attached to the Acops Division, Aba, who is also the wife of the said male passenger.
Without informing her of any offence or involving the transport company management as requested, Ms. Agbara was forcibly taken in a commercial tricycle (Keke) to Area N Police Station, sandwiched between the two male officers.
At the station, the female officer rained insults on her, boasted about her power, and threatened her with disappearance and imprisonment.
The officer reportedly said, “Do you know how many innocent people are in prison? I will teach you a lesson.”
She also demanded that Ms. Agbara beg her husband, implying that failure to do so would lead to further consequences. The husband even bragged about having money to “deal with her.”
Eventually, the officer demanded that Ms. Agbara bail herself with ₦10,000, even though no formal charges were presented.
Ms. Agbara explained she had no money and no contacts in Aba, as she was only visiting her sick aunt and had medication to deliver.
She was unlawfully detained from around 7:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., after which she was finally released.
Nwanguma said: “RULAAC condemns in the strongest terms this blatant misuse of police powers for personal vendetta. It is a shameful abuse of authority and a violation of the constitutional rights to dignity, liberty, and a fair hearing.
“We therefore respectfully request that your office immediately investigate this incident thoroughly and transparently, identifying all officers involved, particularly the female officer and Inspector Christian, discipline the erring officers in line with police internal disciplinary procedures and publicise the outcome to serve as a deterrent.”
Nwanguma further urged the CP Abia State Police Command to issue an official apology to Ms. Agbara for the unlawful detention, humiliation, and intimidation and direct the Acops Division and Area N to cease further harassment of Ms. Agbara under any guise.
“The Nigerian public must not be subjected to the tyranny of police officers who arrogantly wield state power as a weapon for settling private disputes. Such impunity undermines public trust and discredits the image of the Nigeria Police Force. We await your prompt and just action in this matter.”
