Anambra Anti-Cult Squad Accused of Extorting N1.2M from 30 Chukwuemeka Ojukwu University Students
Anambra Police Anti-Cult Squad accused of extorting N1.2 million from 30 university students, prompting calls for investigation and accountability.
Mary Nwaeze 
On Friday, April 5, 2024, shocking revelations emerged regarding the conduct of the Anambra Police Anti-cult Squad, as they were accused of detaining and extorting a sum of N1.2 million from 30 students of Chukwumeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus.
The incident, which occurred on the early hours of Monday, March 11, 2024, saw masked men, purportedly from the Obosi Anti-Cult Squad, storming the AGMAC Hostel of the university and apprehending over 30 students while they were asleep. The students were allegedly subjected to physical and mental torture, including beatings and verbal abuse, before being transported to the Obosi Police Anti-Cult Unit.
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According to reports from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), the students were coerced into paying varying amounts ranging from N30,000 to N70,000 each for their release. It was revealed that the total amount extorted from the students amounted to over N1.2 million.
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The actions of the police have sparked outrage, with Intersociety calling for immediate action. They have petitioned the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, demanding the refund of the extorted funds and the punishment of the erring policemen.
Intersociety further condemned the unlawful and brutal manner in which the police conducted the operation, violating the fundamental human rights of the students. They called for a thorough investigation into the matter and urged the police authority to sanitize and refocus the Police Anti-Cult Units to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The incident has raised concerns about the conduct of law enforcement agencies and the need for accountability and transparency in their operations. Authorities are yet to respond to the allegations, but pressure is mounting for swift action to be taken against those responsible for the extortion and abuse of power.
