- Police Dismiss Officers Over Kidnapping, Armed Robbery In Rivers
- Investigations uncovered multiple criminal syndicates involving serving officers.
- Force says reforms continue as suspects face prosecution.
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed several officers over allegations of involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and other criminal activities in Rivers State, as part of ongoing internal reforms aimed at strengthening discipline and accountability within the institution.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, May 14, describing the conduct of the affected officers as a “gross betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values of the Nigeria Police Force.”
According to the statement, investigations uncovered a criminal syndicate involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa.
The officers identified include Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus, who were accused of engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion during illegal patrol operations within Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement alleged that the officers abducted victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations and forcefully gained access to their bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, extorting millions of naira in the process.
Police authorities confirmed that the three officers have been arrested following preliminary investigations, while three other alleged accomplices, Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa, are currently at large.
The Force further disclosed that investigators recovered three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used in the criminal operations, alongside ₦7.3 million traced to proceeds of the illegal activities. Firearms were also reportedly used in executing similar operations against unsuspecting residents.
In a separate development, the police uncovered another criminal network involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command.
Those involved were identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu. They were accused of organised kidnapping, extortion, theft, and official corruption.
The officers were said to have routinely abducted citizens and extorted money through unauthorized transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts while posing as law enforcement officers on patrol duties.
All five officers have been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force following orderly room trials, while the case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges including conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and corruption.
The Force stated that under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, it remains committed to identifying and removing criminal elements within its ranks, regardless of rank or position.
It also urged members of the public to continue reporting cases of misconduct, abuse of office, extortion, and human rights violations through official channels for prompt investigation and disciplinary action.
