The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has reportedly removed six Commanding Officers (COs) of the Nigeria Police Force Mobile Police (MOPOL) and Operations units attached to TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over allegations of extorting officers under their command.
The disciplinary action followed the outcome of an internal investigation into claims that the officers operated an illegal scheme requiring personnel deployed to guard the multinational oil company’s facilities to pay ₦70,000 monthly from their special duty allowances.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, the affected officers were quietly redeployed last week after a police investigative panel constituted by the IGP found evidence linking them to the alleged extortion.
Investigation Followed Allegations of Illegal Deductions
Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that the panel was set up after reports emerged alleging widespread extortion, abuse of office and poor welfare conditions affecting officers attached to TotalEnergies.
According to one of the sources, investigators initially faced challenges because many officers were reluctant to speak openly for fear of victimisation.
However, after the investigative team returned to Abuja, some affected personnel reportedly submitted documentary evidence said to support the allegations.
The evidence allegedly convinced the police leadership to remove the six Commanding Officers and appoint replacements.
Officers Allegedly Face Possible Trial
Sources further claimed that officers who allegedly assisted in collecting the money on behalf of the commanders have been recommended for prosecution.
However, it was alleged that the removed Commanding Officers have begun lobbying senior authorities in an effort to prevent those officers from facing trial.
The sources also indicated that the affected commanders may be withdrawn from the Mobile Police Force and reassigned to conventional policing duties in various state commands as part of administrative sanctions.
Alleged Extortion Scheme
The allegations first surfaced in June when officers attached to the TotalEnergies special duty operation accused their commanders of operating what they described as an organised extortion racket.
According to the claims, TotalEnergies had recently approved an upward review of the special duty allowances paid to police personnel assigned to protect its facilities.
Following the increase, officers reportedly began receiving ₦220,000 monthly as special duty allowances.
However, the officers alleged that shortly after the payment, each of them was instructed to remit ₦70,000 back to their Commanding Officers through designated Special Duty Administrators.
They further claimed that personnel who refused to make the payment were allegedly threatened with removal from the lucrative deployment.
One affected officer alleged that what initially appeared to be long-awaited welfare relief quickly became another avenue for exploitation.
According to the officer, many personnel complied with the directive out of fear of losing their deployment and the accompanying financial benefits.
Police Yet to Issue Official Statement
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official statement confirming the removal of the six Commanding Officers or the outcome of the internal investigation.
The allegations remain based on findings reported by SaharaReporters and accounts from anonymous sources familiar with the matter. Any criminal liability will ultimately depend on the outcome of any disciplinary or judicial proceedings that may follow.
