Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Five inspectors attached to the Rivers State Police Command have been dismissed over allegations of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and conspiracy following investigations into a series of criminal operations allegedly carried out across the state.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Thursday, May 14, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid.
He said the dismissed officers were linked to multiple criminal incidents reported between September 2025 and January 2026.
According to the police, the officers allegedly operated as a syndicate, using minibuses to carry out illegal stop-and-search operations while posing as security operatives.
The dismissed inspectors were identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.
Placid said the case came to light after petitions were submitted by the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation on behalf of several victims who accused the officers of violent extortion and abduction.
Investigators reportedly uncovered a pattern in which unsuspecting residents were intercepted at gunpoint and forced to surrender sensitive banking information.
“He said the officers forced victims to disclose their banking pass codes and account details, adding that they forcibly transferred money from their victims’ bank accounts.”
The police spokesman further stated that the suspects falsely identified themselves as operatives attached to Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa in order to intimidate victims and avoid suspicion.
One of the incidents uncovered during the investigation involved the alleged abduction of a male victim along Aba Road, where the officers reportedly dispossessed him of more than N3.6 million and $4,000 from his cryptocurrency wallet.
Another victim was said to have lost over N7.3 million in cash and valuables after being kidnapped, while a third reportedly lost N1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road.
Providing further details, Placid said investigators recovered three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the operations, alongside N7,338,800 traced to the criminal activities.
“Exhibits recovered include three Toyota Sienna buses used for the illegal operations and the sum of N7,338,800.00 traced to the criminal activities. Findings further revealed that the suspects operated with firearms and had allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting members of the public within Rivers State,” he stated.
He added that the officers had undergone orderly room proceedings before their dismissal from the Nigeria Police Force.
“Consequently, the five implicated officers were subjected to orderly room proceedings and dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, while the case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption, and related offences,” Placid said.
The police also urged members of the public to continue reporting cases of misconduct and abuse by security personnel through established complaint channels.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to a professional, transparent, accountable, and service-driven policing system firmly rooted in the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights,” the statement added.
