The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed several officers accused of involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and other criminal activities in Rivers State as part of efforts to sanitise the force and restore public confidence.
The disciplinary action, announced on Thursday, May 14, followed investigations into multiple criminal syndicates allegedly operated by serving police personnel attached to different units in the state.
In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the police described the conduct of the affected officers as a serious violation of the ethics and professional standards expected of members of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the statement, one of the syndicates involved officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The officers identified were Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus.
Investigators alleged that the officers carried out illegal patrol operations around Port Harcourt, where they reportedly targeted unsuspecting residents through unlawful stop-and-search activities.
The police claimed the officers abducted victims, forced them to unlock their mobile banking and cryptocurrency applications, and extorted huge sums of money from them.
“The officers reportedly abducted victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations, forcefully gained access to their banking and cryptocurrency applications, and extorted millions of naira,” the statement said.
Authorities confirmed that the three officers had been arrested, while three other alleged accomplices — Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa — were still on the run at the time of the announcement.
During the investigation, police operatives reportedly recovered three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used in carrying out the operations, alongside ₦7.3 million believed to be proceeds from the crimes.
The police further disclosed that preliminary findings indicated the suspects operated with firearms and may have carried out several similar operations against residents across Rivers State.
In a separate development, the force also uncovered another alleged criminal network involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command.
The officers named in that case were Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.
According to the police, the officers were involved in organised kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and acts of official corruption while pretending to carry out legitimate patrol duties.
Investigators alleged that the dismissed officers routinely abducted residents, dispossessed them of valuables, and forced victims to transfer money from their bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets.
Following internal disciplinary proceedings known as orderly room trials, the five officers were officially dismissed from service.
Police authorities added that the case file had already been prepared and forwarded for prosecution, with charges expected to include conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and official corruption.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated that the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, remains determined to rid the institution of criminal elements and enforce accountability regardless of rank or position.
The force also called on Nigerians to continue reporting cases of police brutality, extortion, abuse of office, and other misconduct through official complaint channels, assuring the public that reports would be investigated and acted upon promptly.
