The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, has set up a panel to investigate an alleged assault on a policewoman, Blessing Nwoji, by the Orji Divisional Police Officer, Okereke Udeh, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The DPO and the policewoman had just returned from a maternity leave and had a disagreement on Thursday, January 18, 2018, The Punch reported.

According to the investigation, trouble started when the DPO, who was recently posted to the station, demanded the woman to resume work after six months’ leave.

It was learnt that the policewoman joined her annual leave with maternity leave to spend about six months away from work.

But two weeks after the leave ended, she allegedly did not resume, which angered the DPO, who ordered her to report to work immediately.

It was learnt that when the woman reported to the office, Udeh assigned her to control traffic at Orji Junction.

However, the matter escalated when the DPO, who was passing along the road, sighted her without a cap and a lanyard.

A source said the DPO came out of his car and took pictures of the woman.

The female officer was said to have charged at the DPO, grabbed his phone and held his shirt.

The act resulted in a scuffle between the duo, as Udeh reportedly ordered the policewoman’s arrest.

The source said the corporal and her husband, who is also a serving police officer, had been asked to appear before the police panel investigating the incident.

The panel, according to the source, was told among other things to establish a case of insubordination because, according to him, the highest integrity of the Nigeria Police Force is discipline.

The CP told our correspondent that the panel had concluded its investigation and action would be taken by the command.

“The panel has submitted its report and action is being taken.

“It is an internal affair anyway, but the command will not tolerate indiscipline under my leadership,” he said.