A police officer, Joshua Nyian, and two others have been paraded by the Youth President of Nkpolu Rumuigbo community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, alongside some community youths, for their alleged involvement in the sale and purchase of hard drugs in the area.
The officer is said to be attached to the Woji Division in Port Harcourt.
The youth leader, Owhonda Chamberlain, in an interview with newsmen, said the suspects were apprehended during a campaign launched in the community to eradicate drug abuse.
Chamberlain explained that the high rate of drug use among young people in Nkpolu Rumuigbo has contributed to the “rising number of mentally unstable persons” and has “fueled criminal activities driven by addiction.”
Chamberlain further expressed concern that the continuous abuse of drugs has not only reduced youth participation in community development but has also “forced many into selling their personal properties.”
He, however, admitted that the suspects were flogged after being caught, describing it as part of the punishment.
In a video making the rounds on social media, the police officer and his accomplices were seen being interrogated by youths of the community and afterwards flogged.
The officer was also seen holding a pipe allegedly used to smoke crystal meth (popularly known as mpurumiri).
Chamberlain also alleged that the police officer later returned to the community with other security personnel to arrest him.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, has dismissed claims that a police officer was involved in drug dealings.
Iringe-Koko, in an interview, alleged that the officer was humiliated by the youth president, Chamberlain, because of a personal rift with him over a woman in the community.
She claimed that Chamberlain framed the officer after discovering that he had begun marriage rites with the woman they were both interested in.
The Rivers State Police Command further disclosed that an invitation has been sent to the youth leader for questioning.
The Command further in a statement on Monday said, “On 24th August 2025 at about 1:40 p.m., one Inspector of Police, Joshua Nyian, attached to Woji Division, reported a case of assault and stealing.
“According to the report, at about 10:20 a.m. on the same date, while returning from work, the officer stopped at Nkpolu to see his woman friend, who is pregnant for him.
“He was suddenly accosted by the Nkpolu Youth President, the Community Chairman, and about twenty youths.
“They allegedly assaulted him by beating him up, dragged him to the main road, seized his police identity card and phone, recorded him on video, and forcefully collected the sum of seventy-eight thousand naira (₦78,000) from him.
“The officer further alleged that the Youth President has been making advances to his woman friend, which may have prompted the attack.
“The officer’s statement was voluntarily recorded, and a medical form was issued to him for treatment.
“Frantic efforts are ongoing for the youth president with others involved to come forward with their evidence.”
The Command, however, assured the public that justice will be served and urged community leaders to caution their youths against taking the law into their hands.
