The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors from its Department of Operations patrol team in Port Harcourt after finding them guilty of kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and corruption.
Force PRO DCP Anthony Okon Placid announced the sackings in Port Harcourt on Thursday, naming the officers as Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.
Investigators said the men, armed and moving in minibuses, posed as Zone 16 operatives during illegal stop-and-search operations between September 2025 and January 2026. They allegedly forced victims to reveal bank PINs and account details, then transferred money from bank and crypto accounts.
Cases include the abduction of Felix Favour along Aba Road, with over N3.6m taken, and Okparaocha David Ugochukwu, robbed of N7.3m in cash and valuables.
Placid said a prima facie case had been established and the files sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Charges are expected within 30 days.
In a separate case, six other officers were linked to the February 2026 abduction of a victim in Port Harcourt and the forced withdrawal of N7.3m. Three have been arrested and face orderly room proceedings, while three others are on the run.
“The actions of these officers represent a grave betrayal of the trust placed in them by the people of Rivers State and the nation at large,” Placid said.
The petitions that exposed the crimes came from the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation on behalf of multiple victims.
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