The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed five inspectors attached to the Department of Operations following their alleged involvement in a series of serious crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and conspiracy. Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, confirmed the dismissals in a statement released Friday in Port Harcourt.
The officers, identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu, were reportedly involved in criminal activities between September 2025 and January 2026.
The misconduct came to light after the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation submitted petitions on behalf of multiple victims. Investigations revealed that the officers operated in minibuses, conducting illegal stop-and-search operations where they intercepted citizens at gunpoint.
According to the police, the inspectors coerced victims into revealing their banking passcodes and account details to forcefully transfer funds. In one specific instance, the syndicate allegedly abducted a man along Aba Road, dispossessing him of over N3.6 million and $4,000 from his cryptocurrency wallet.
Another victim was reportedly robbed of N7.3 million in cash and valuables, while a third lost N1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road. To evade suspicion, the officers often falsely identified themselves as operatives from Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa.
Following an internal orderly room proceeding, a prima facie case was established, leading to their immediate dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force. The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), with formal criminal charges expected to be filed within 30 days. The Command reiterated its commitment to institutional reform and the removal of criminal elements from within its ranks.