Five inspectors of police attached to the Department of Operations in Rivers State Command have been dismissed for alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and conspiracy.
The Force spokesperson, DCP Anthony Placid, revealed this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday through the command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe.
Placid said the officers were involved in different criminal activities between September 2025 and January 2026 in the state.
The officers dismissed are John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu and Anele Ikechukwu
He said the case became known following petitions submitted by the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation on behalf of multiple victims., adding that officers allegedly operated in minibuses and conducted intercepted at gunpoint.
“The officers forced victims to disclose their banking pass codes and account details. They forcefully transferred money from their victims’ bank accounts.
“They also falsely presented themselves as operatives of Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, in order to intimidate victims and evade suspicion,” he said.
He said investigations further revealed that the syndicate allegedly abducted a man along Aba Road and forcefully dispossessed him of over N3.6 million and 4,000 dollars from his cryptocurrency wallet.
Another victim, he said, was allegedly abducted and dispossessed of over N7.3 million in cash and valuables, while a third victim reportedly lost N1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road.
“After the officers were arrested, an orderly room proceeding found them culpable, leading to their dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force with immediate effect.
“A prima facie case of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, official corruption and extortion has been established against the dismissed officers,” he stated.
The police spokesman added that the case file had been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while formal charges were expected to be filled within 30 days.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the police to professionalism, accountability, transparency and protection of citizens’ rights.
