The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed five police inspectors accused of kidnapping, extortion, theft, and corruption.
Force spokesperson, Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, saying the officers were attached to the operations department of the Rivers State Police Command.
According to the police, investigations revealed that the officers allegedly abducted members of the public, forced victims to transfer money from their bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and stole valuables from them while pretending to carry out official patrol duties.
The dismissed officers were identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.
The police described the group as a criminal syndicate operating within the force.
“Consequently, the five implicated officers were subjected to orderly room proceedings and 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 statement reads.
“Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting cases of police misconduct, abuse of office, extortion, and human rights violations through established complaint channels for prompt investigation and action.”
Placid further revealed that investigations uncovered another criminal network involving six police officers attached to Zone 16 headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The officers were accused of carrying out illegal patrol operations in Port Harcourt, where they allegedly engaged in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion.
According to the police, the suspects reportedly stopped victims unlawfully, abducted them, and forced them to open banking and cryptocurrency applications before extorting large sums of money.
Three of the suspects have been arrested, while the remaining three are still being hunted by authorities.
“Exhibits recovered include three Toyota Sienna buses used for the illegal operations and the sum of ₦7,338,800.00 traced to the criminal activities,” Placid said.
“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.
“The Force notes that the actions of the affected officers represent a gross betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, remains resolute in its determination to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution, irrespective of rank or position.”
The police also reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism, accountability, transparency, and protecting the rights of citizens in line with the rule of law.
KanyiDaily recalls that IGP Olatunji Disu recently ordered the dismissal and prosecution of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Nuhu Usman and four other officers over the alleged killing of Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State.
