Concerns over arrests of Anambra youths

An outrage has been building in Anambra State due to allegations of police misconduct, including harassment, brutality, unlawful arrests, and extortion targeting young men throughout the region. Reports suggest that these young individuals are frequently stopped by police and state-backed security operatives, detained, and coerced into paying money for their freedom.

Those who lack funds are allegedly held overnight in police cells, creating an environment where spending the night in custody has become a common experience. Many young people who spoke with our correspondent expressed relief when they returned home safely without being detained. They emphasized that police cells have become a second home for many young people, who face arbitrary arrest without committing any offense.

The victims demand intervention from the state governor and the Chief Security Officer to curb the misconduct of these officers. While the Anambra State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Extra-Judicial Killings and Other Related Matters was established in October 2020 to address such grievances, residents have yet to see the desired results due to ongoing allegations of harassment and extortion.