The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against corruption and misconduct within its ranks with the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of police personnel implicated in cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and abuse of office in Rivers State and its environs.
The Force described the actions of the affected officers as a grave betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values of the institution, stressing that ongoing internal reforms under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, remain focused on identifying and removing criminal elements from within the Force irrespective of rank or status.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, investigations into one of the cases uncovered a criminal syndicate involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, namely Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus.
Placid said the officers allegedly engaged in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion while carrying out illegal patrol operations within Port Harcourt and surrounding areas.
“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 from them,” he stated.
He further revealed that investigations led to the arrest of the three officers, while three other accomplices identified as Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa remain at large.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include three Toyota Sienna buses used for the illegal operations and the sum of ₦7,338,800.00 traced to the criminal activities,” Placid disclosed.
“Findings further revealed that the suspects operated with firearms and had allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting members of the public within Rivers State.”
In a separate investigation, the Force spokesman said another criminal syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, was uncovered.
The officers identified in the case include Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.
According to Placid, the officers engaged in organised acts of kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and official corruption while operating under the guise of official patrol duties.
“The dismissed officers were found to have routinely abducted citizens, extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and dispossessed them of valuables,” he said.
He explained that the implicated officers were subjected to orderly room proceedings and subsequently dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.
“Consequently, the case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption, and related offences,” he added.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Force to discipline and accountability, Placid stressed that the current police leadership would not shield any officer found culpable of criminal conduct.
“The leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police remains resolute in its determination to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution, irrespective of rank or position,” he said.
He 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.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to a professional, transparent, accountable, and service-driven policing system firmly rooted in the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights,” Placid stated.
