Extortion: RULAAC praises Mbaise youths for exemplary conduct, salutes CP Aboki’s professional leadership
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has hailed the courage and patriotic action of youths and stakeholders of Mbaise for speaking out against extortion, harassment, and unprofessional conduct by some operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) along the Owerri–Umuahia Road.
A statement by RULAAC’s executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma said the commendation was apt following the Imo State Police Command Press Release of August 6, 2025, disclosing that the complaints raised by the concerned citizens of Mbaise had been peacefully and constructively addressed during a meeting held the previous day at the Police Command Headquarters in Owerri.
According to details of the meeting, CP Aboki Danjuma brought together key security and community stakeholders, including representatives of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), military officers, senior police officers, and youth representatives to resolve the issues.
“During the engagement, the Commissioner of Police acknowledged the lapses, condemned the misconduct, and accepted responsibility, promising reforms to improve oversight and prevent future abuse. He also commended the group for choosing dialogue over confrontation and protest,” RULAAC said in the statement.
Nwanguma said the action of the CP is a commendable and exemplary step in the right direction.
“RULAAC applauds CP Danjuma’s professional response and notes that such an open, dialogue, and accountability-focused approach to policing is essential for rebuilding public trust and improving citizen–police relationships—especially in a region like the Southeast, where public confidence in law enforcement has significantly eroded due to years of impunity, heavy-handed policing, and unchecked human rights violations.”
Nwanguma said had this model of proactive leadership, responsiveness, and constructive engagement been institutionalized earlier, it would likely have helped to curb the growing insecurity and widespread perception of police hostility in the Southeast.
RULAAC also praised the maturity, civic responsibility, and restraint shown by the Concerned Citizens of Mbaise, who opted for dialogue over street protest. “Their action not only highlights the legitimate grievances of communities suffering from law enforcement abuse but also reinforces the importance of peaceful and constructive civic engagement in holding security agencies accountable.”
The statement highlighted some initiatives the police should take to sustain the momentum. The initiatives include;
– Taking transparent and credible disciplinary action against erring officers;
– Institutionalizing regular dialogue forums with community stakeholders;
– Expanding public awareness campaigns to discourage extortion and educate both officers and citizens on rights and responsibilities;
– Strengthening internal oversight units such as the X-Squad and Complaints Response Unit (CRU).
RULAAC urged the youth and civil society actors in other parts of the Southeast to take inspiration from the Mbaise example by continuing to engage law enforcement through peaceful, evidence-based advocacy and by demanding accountability.
It added: “We equally call on police commands across the region and the country to emulate this constructive leadership model by treating citizens as partners in the collective task of securing our communities. Policing must be rights-respecting, citizen-focused, and rooted in mutual trust.
“A more just, secure, and peaceful society is only possible when police authorities and the communities they serve are guided by shared values of accountability, fairness, and respect for human dignity.”
