- Police DPO Sacked Over ₦500,000 Extortion in Rivers
- Activist accused officer of ₦500,000 extortion and wrongful charge.
- Police command ordered investigation and promised accountability.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has removed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oyigbo Police Division in Oyigbo Local Government Area over allegations of extortion and abuse of office.
The development followed claims raised by a rights activist on Friday, alleging that the DPO extorted ₦500,000 from an individual who was arrested and detained at the station without any known offence.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the activist, who shared alleged evidence of the payment on social media, also accused the officer of filing what he described as a baseless charge against a woman, alleging that she stole her own children during a dispute with her estranged husband.
He further claimed that the woman was later remanded in a correctional facility based on the charge, a development he strongly condemned.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, said the command was aware of the allegations circulating online concerning the conduct of the Oyigbo DPO.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed that the officer had been removed from his position to allow for a full and impartial investigation into the matter.
She stated that the decision reflected the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism.
“The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a publication currently circulating on various online platforms alleging misconduct involving a Divisional Police Officer in the command,” the statement read.
Agabe added that the Commissioner of Police expressed displeasure over the allegations and assured the public of a thorough investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed his deep dismay over the incident and reiterated that the command will not tolerate any form of misconduct, abuse of office, or actions capable of undermining public trust and confidence in the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement added.
“In response to the allegations and in line with the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism, the officer concerned has been immediately removed from his position pending the outcome of a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.”
The command assured residents that the case would be properly investigated and that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken based on the findings.
