By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its internal disciplinary and reform measures with the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of several police personnel allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, stealing, and abuse of office in Rivers State and surrounding areas.
According to an official signed statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the actions of the affected officers amounted to a grave betrayal of the ethics, professional standards, and core values of the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement noted that the leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, remained determined to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements within the institution, regardless of rank or position.
The police disclosed that investigations uncovered a criminal syndicate involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, identified as Inspector Ayanniyi Jelili, Inspector Durojaye Francis, and Inspector Olayemi Titus. The officers were accused of engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion while allegedly operating illegal patrols within Port Harcourt.
Investigators revealed that the suspects abducted victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations, forcibly accessed their banking and cryptocurrency applications, and extorted millions of naira from them.
The Force confirmed that the three officers had been arrested, while three other accomplices Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa are currently at large.
Police authorities further disclosed that exhibits recovered from the suspects included three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the illegal operations, as well as ₦7,338,800 traced to the criminal activities.
The statement added that findings from the investigation indicated that the suspects operated with firearms and had allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting members of the public across parts of Rivers State.
In a separate case, the Force uncovered another criminal syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command. The officers identified as Inspector John Okoi, Inspector Eyibo Asuquo, Inspector Udo Ndipmong, Inspector Bright Nwachukwu, and Inspector Anele Ikechukwu were accused of organised acts of kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and official corruption.
The police said the dismissed officers routinely abducted citizens, extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and dispossessed them of valuables while masquerading as personnel on official patrol duties.
Following orderly room proceedings, the five officers were dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, while the case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption, and related offences.
The 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 disciplinary action.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to professionalism, transparency, accountability, and service-driven policing anchored on the rule of law and protection of citizens’ rights.
