The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has distanced itself from a planned protest against police brutality, violence and extortion in Imo.
Chairman of the PCRC in Imo, Mr Bathram Uzodimma made this known while speaking with newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.
Our correspondent reports that Imo residents, especially from Ahiazu, Aboh and Ezinihitte Mbaise council areas have planned a mass protest against police brutality and extortion along the Owerri-Umuahia highway, a corridor to Mbaise.
The protest slated for August 7, 2025, is being planned and convened by Mr Wisdom Anyanwu, a concerned citizen.
Uzodimma said that although the PCRC admits that there is a high level of police brutality reported within the Mbaise axis of the state, the Committee has taken cogent measures to address the worrying situation.
He said that the leadership of the PCRC had met with Heads of Security agencies in the state, especially the Army and Police, with assurances that the menace would be tackled head-on.
“ While we admit that there is corruption, we must trade with caution and this is why we are against the protest and have asked Mbaise people not to honour it.
“ We call on the convener, Mr Wisdom Anyanwu, to call off the protest and allow already set mechanisms for addressing the issues take effect “, he said.
He assured Imo people that in line with his mandate, no resident will be humiliated by the police under his watch.
He condoled with families of victims of a recent killing by gunmen in Ideato north area and assured Imo residents that security agencies were committed to ending the menace.
Also speaking, immediate past Chairman of the PCRC in Imo, Mr Chima Chukwunyere, frowned at reports that police along the Owerri-Umuahia road brutalize youths and forcefully extort money from them.
He reaffirmed the PCRC’s commitment to “ensuring a cordial relationship between the police and the Nigerian public “, and assured that with the steps already taken by the committee, police brutality, extortion, intimidation and violence would be reduced to their barest minimum.
He called on Imo residents to jettison the protest which he said could easily be hijacked as the organizers had yet to establish adequate contacts with relevant authorities.