May 15, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Police Force has launched a sweeping internal crackdown against rogue personnel accused of using official patrol operations as cover for kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and organised criminal activities in Rivers State, resulting in the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of several officers.
In what authorities described as a major internal cleansing effort, the Force said the operation reflects the determination of the leadership under the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to rid the institution of criminal elements and restore public trust in policing.
The development followed investigations into multiple complaints of abduction, unlawful stop-and-search operations, extortion and robbery allegedly perpetrated by serving police officers operating in and around Port Harcourt.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, one of the investigations exposed a criminal syndicate involving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa.
The officers including Inspector Ayanniyi Jelili, Inspector Durojaye Francis and Inspector Olayemi Titus, were accused of carrying out armed robbery, kidnapping and extortion through illegal patrol operations allegedly mounted across parts of Rivers State.
Police investigators said the officers reportedly intercepted unsuspecting victims during unauthorised stop-and-search operations, abducted them, seized control of their banking and cryptocurrency applications and forced them to transfer huge sums of money.
The Force disclosed that the operation led to the arrest of the three officers, while three other suspected accomplices — Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa — are currently on the run.
Authorities further revealed that investigators recovered three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the operations, as well as ₦7,338,800 believed to be proceeds of the criminal activities.
The police added that preliminary findings indicated that the suspects operated with firearms and may have carried out similar attacks against several residents and travellers within Rivers State and adjoining areas.
In a separate but related investigation, another syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, was uncovered.
Those implicated included Inspector John Okoi, Inspector Eyibo Asuquo, Inspector Udo Ndipmong, Inspector Bright Nwachukwu and Inspector Anele Ikechukwu.
According to the Force, the officers allegedly engaged in organised kidnapping, extortion, stealing and official corruption while posing as officers on legitimate patrol duties.
Investigators said the dismissed officers routinely abducted citizens, dispossessed them of valuables and coerced victims into making transfers from their bank and cryptocurrency accounts.
The Force said all five officers were subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings known as orderly room trials and subsequently dismissed from service after being found culpable.
Police authorities added that the case file had already been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption and related offences.
The latest disciplinary action is one of the strongest recent signals from the police hierarchy that misconduct and criminality within the Force will no longer be tolerated, especially amid growing public concern over abuses linked to tactical and patrol operations.
The police leadership stressed that the actions of the affected officers amounted to a grave betrayal of the ethics, standards and professional values of the institution.
The Force also urged Nigerians to continue reporting cases of police misconduct, extortion, abuse of office and human rights violations through official complaint channels, assuring the public that all verified complaints would receive prompt investigation and action.
Reaffirming its reform agenda, the Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to building a transparent, accountable and service-driven policing system rooted in professionalism, discipline and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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