Rivers Youths Flog Police Officer Over Drug Abuse Allegation, Police Deny Claims

Youths in Nkpolu Community, Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, have publicly assaulted a police officer, Inspector Joshua Nyian, alongside two other individuals, accusing them of drug abuse. The incident, which has gone viral on social media, features the youths forcefully making the accused chant anti-drug slogans as part of their community’s ongoing campaign against substance abuse.

According to eyewitness accounts and the Nkpolu Youth President, Owhonda Chambaline, the community has been waging a determined “Operation No Drugs” campaign aimed at eradicating drug use and trafficking in the area. He lamented the extent of the problem, citing that many youths are selling inherited properties to sustain their drug habits. Chambaline expressed deep regret that even a police officer was implicated in the illicit activities, asserting their resolve that no one, regardless of status, would be exempt from accountability.

However, the Rivers State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko, has refuted the drug abuse allegations against Inspector Nyian. In an official statement, the police disclosed that on August 24, 2025, the officer was assaulted and robbed by the Nkpolu Youth President, the Community Chairman, and about twenty youths. Inspector Nyian reportedly visited Nkpolu to see his pregnant girlfriend when he was unexpectedly attacked. The officer alleged that he was beaten, dragged to the main road, had his police ID card and phone seized, was recorded on video, and was extorted of ₦78,000.

Inspector Nyian further claimed that the Youth President’s advances toward his pregnant partner may have been the true motive behind the assault, not drug-related activities. The police confirmed the officer’s formal complaint, his medical examination, and issued a medical form for his treatment. The Command has called on the youth leaders involved to present any evidence supporting their claims, assuring that justice will be served. It also urged community leaders to dissuade youths from taking the law into their own hands.

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This incident has ignited discussions about the safety of law enforcement personnel and highlights the challenges facing community-driven anti-drug initiatives in the region. The Rivers State Police Command continues to investigate the matter, seeking a peaceful resolution grounded in justice and due process.

This report will be updated as more information becomes available.