The Nigeria Police Force has reacted after several police officers allegedly involved in criminal activities in Rivers State were arrested and dismissed, describing the development as part of an ongoing internal cleansing aimed at restoring public confidence in the Force.…....
The disclosure was made on Saturday by Force Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Giwa, who confirmed that some officers attached to units in Rivers State and Zone 16 Command, Yenagoa, had been implicated in serious crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and abuse of office.
According to the statement, the affected officers allegedly used police uniforms and official vehicles to carry out criminal operations, targeting unsuspecting members of the public during fake patrol exercises.
The Force alleged that victims were abducted, forced to surrender access to their bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, while millions of naira were reportedly extorted from them.
Providing details of the arrests, Giwa said officers linked to one of the criminal groups operating under Zone 16 Command in Yenagoa had already been apprehended.
Those arrested were identified as Inspector Ayanniyi Jelili, Inspector Durojaye Francis, and Inspector Olayemi Titus. The police added that three other accomplices remain at large and are currently being hunted by security operatives.
The Force further disclosed that investigators recovered three Toyota Sienna buses and the sum of ₦7,338,800 believed to be proceeds connected to the alleged crimes.
In a separate case involving officers under the Rivers State Command, Inspector John Okoi, Inspector Eyibo Asuquo, Inspector Udo Ndipmong, Inspector Bright Nwachukwu, and Inspector Anele Ikechukwu were said to have been dismissed from service.
Their matter has reportedly been forwarded for prosecution over allegations bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and official corruption.
The police authorities stressed that no officer would be shielded from accountability regardless of rank or status.
The statement added that the current leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, remains committed to sanitising the institution and ensuring that officers found culpable face the full weight of the law.
The Force also urged members of the public who may have suffered abuse or misconduct from officers to come forward with complaints, assuring them that reports from citizens remain vital in promoting transparency and accountability within the police system.
The development has generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians describing the arrests as a significant step toward addressing corruption and misconduct within the Force.
