The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed five inspectors attached to its Department of Operations over their alleged involvement in serious criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and conspiracy.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Port Harcourt by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, and made available through the command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe.
According to the statement, the dismissed officers identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu were implicated in a series of criminal operations carried out between September 2025 and January 2026 across various parts of the state.
The case reportedly came to light following petitions filed by the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation on behalf of several victims.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the officers allegedly operated in minibuses, carrying out illegal stop-and-search operations.
During these operations, unsuspecting members of the public were reportedly held at gunpoint and forced to disclose sensitive banking details, including passcodes, which were then used to transfer funds from their accounts.
The suspects were also said to have falsely identified themselves as operatives from Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa to intimidate victims and avoid suspicion.
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Further findings indicated that the group allegedly abducted a male victim along Aba Road, dispossessing him of over ₦3.6 million and $4,000 from his cryptocurrency wallet.
In another incident, a victim was reportedly robbed of over ₦7.3 million in cash and valuables, while a third victim lost ₦1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road.
Following their arrest, an orderly room trial found the officers guilty of the allegations, leading to their immediate dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.
Placid added that a prima facie case involving conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, official corruption, and extortion has been established against the former officers.
He noted that the case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with formal charges expected to be filed within 30 days.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights, stressing that misconduct within the force will not be tolerated.
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