ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Five inspectors attached to the Department of Operations of the Rivers State Police Command have been dismissed over alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and conspiracy.
The dismissed officers were identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu and Anele Ikechukwu.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday through the command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe.
According to Placid, the officers allegedly engaged in a series of criminal activities between September 2025 and January 2026 across different parts of Rivers State.
He explained that the matter came to light following petitions submitted by the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation on behalf of several victims.
The police spokesman said investigations revealed that the officers allegedly operated in minibuses and mounted illegal stop-and-search operations where unsuspecting members of the public were intercepted at gunpoint.
“The officers forced victims to disclose their banking passcodes and account details. They forcefully transferred money from their victims’ bank accounts,” Placid stated.
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“They also falsely presented themselves as operatives of Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, in order to intimidate victims and evade suspicion.”
According to the police authorities, further investigations showed that the syndicate allegedly abducted a male victim along Aba Road and dispossessed him of more than N3.6 million and 4,000 dollars from his cryptocurrency wallet.
Another victim was reportedly abducted and robbed of over N7.3 million in cash and valuables, while a third victim allegedly lost N1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road.
Placid said the officers were subjected to orderly room proceedings after their arrest and were found culpable of the allegations against them.
“After the officers were arrested, an orderly room proceeding found them culpable, leading to their dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force with immediate effect,” he said.
“A prima facie case of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, official corruption and extortion has been established against the dismissed officers.”
He added that the case file had already been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while formal charges were expected to be filed within 30 days.
The police spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to professionalism, accountability, transparency and the protection of citizens’ rights.