By our Reporter
The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its internal cleansing process with the dismissal, arrest and prosecution of officers allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, stealing and abuse of office in Rivers State and surrounding areas.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Force reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, accountability and institutional reform, stressing that officers found engaging in criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.
The Force described the actions of the affected officers as a gross betrayal of the ethics, standards and professional values of the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, remains determined to expose and remove criminal elements within the institution, regardless of rank.
According to the statement, investigations uncovered a criminal syndicate involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa. The officers identified as Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis and Olayemi Titus allegedly engaged in armed robbery, kidnapping and extortion while operating illegal patrols within Port Harcourt.
The officers were accused of abducting victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations, forcefully accessing their banking and cryptocurrency applications, and extorting millions of naira from them.
Police authorities disclosed that the investigation led to the arrest of the three officers, while three other accomplices — Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa — are currently on the run.
Recovered exhibits include three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the illegal operations and the sum of ₦7,338,800 traced to the criminal activities. Investigators also revealed that the suspects operated with firearms and had allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting residents in Rivers State.
In another case, the Force uncovered a separate criminal syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command. The officers identified as Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu and Anele Ikechukwu were accused of organised kidnapping, extortion, stealing and official corruption.
The dismissed officers allegedly abducted citizens, extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and dispossessed them of valuables while posing as officers on official patrol duty.
The Force said the five officers had undergone orderly room trial proceedings and were subsequently dismissed from service. Their case files have also been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption and related offences.
The Nigeria Police 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 action.
The Force reiterated its commitment to building a professional, transparent, accountable and service-driven policing system rooted in the rule of law and protection of citizens’ rights.
