The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its internal disciplinary measures with the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of police personnel allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, stealing, and abuse of office in Rivers State.
In a statement issued on May 14, Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, said the actions of the affected officers amounted to “a gross betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values of the Nigeria Police Force.”
He said the leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, remained committed to identifying and removing criminal elements within the institution “irrespective of rank or position.”
According to the statement, investigations uncovered a criminal syndicate involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa. The officers identified were Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus, who allegedly engaged in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion while carrying out illegal patrol operations within Port Harcourt.
Police authorities alleged that the officers abducted victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations and forced them to grant access to their banking and cryptocurrency applications before extorting millions of naira.
“The investigation led to the arrest of the three officers, while three other accomplices identified as Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa are currently at large,” the statement said.
The Force added that exhibits recovered from the suspects included three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the operations and ₦7,338,800 traced to the criminal activities.
Investigators further discovered that the suspects allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting residents in Rivers State while armed with firearms.
In another case, the police said they uncovered a separate criminal syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command. The officers identified were Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.
The dismissed officers were accused of engaging in organised acts of kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and official corruption while operating under the guise of patrol duties.
According to the Force, the officers “routinely abducted citizens, extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and dispossessed them of valuables.”
Police authorities confirmed that the five officers had undergone orderly room proceedings and were subsequently dismissed from the Force.
“The case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption, and related offences,” the statement added.
The Nigeria Police Force urged members of the public to continue reporting cases of police misconduct, abuse of office, extortion, and human rights violations through established complaint channels for prompt investigation and action.
