The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed some officers over alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion and other criminal activities in Rivers State.
The police said the decision formed part of ongoing internal cleansing and institutional reform efforts aimed at strengthening discipline and accountability within the force.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 14, by the police spokesperson, Anthony Placid, the force described the conduct of the affected officers as “a gross betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values of the Nigeria Police Force.”
According to the statement, investigations uncovered a criminal syndicate involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa.
The officers were identified as Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis and Olayemi Titus.
The police alleged that the officers engaged in armed robbery, kidnapping and extortion while carrying out illegal patrol operations within Port Harcourt.
The statement read, “The officers reportedly abducted victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations, forcefully gained access to their banking and cryptocurrency applications, and extorted millions of naira from them.”
Police authorities said the investigation led to the arrest of the three officers.
They added that three other alleged accomplices, Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa, were still at large.
The police said investigators recovered three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the illegal operations, as well as ₦7.3m traced to the criminal activities.
According to the statement, findings also showed that the suspects operated with firearms and allegedly carried out similar operations against residents in Rivers State.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that in a separate case, the force said another syndicate involving police inspectors formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, was uncovered.
The officers were named as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu and Anele Ikechukwu.
They were accused of organised kidnapping, extortion, stealing and official corruption.
The police alleged that the officers routinely abducted citizens, extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and dispossessed them of valuables while operating under the guise of official patrol duties.
The five officers were dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force after orderly room proceedings.
The police said the case file had been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and official corruption.
The force said its leadership under the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, remained committed to identifying and removing criminal elements within the institution, regardless of rank.
It also urged members of the public to continue reporting cases of police misconduct, abuse of office, extortion and human rights violations through official complaint channels for prompt investigation and action.