The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed five Inspectors attached to the Department of Operations over alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and conspiracy.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Placid said the officers were involved in a pattern of criminal activities between September 2025 and January 2026 across Rivers State.
The police spokesman listed the dismissed officers as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu
Placid stated that the case became known following petitions submitted by a group, the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, on behalf of multiple victims.
Placid noted that the officers allegedly operated in minibuses and conducted illegal stop-and-search operations during which unsuspecting members of the public were intercepted at gunpoint.
He said the officers forced victims to disclose their banking pass codes and account details, adding that 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 stated that investigations further revealed that the syndicate abducted a male victim along Aba Road and forcefully dispossessed him of over N3.6 million and $4,000 from his cryptocurrency wallet.
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Another victim, Placid said, was abducted and dispossessed of over N7.3 million in cash and valuables, while a third victim lost N1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road.
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Placid stated: “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.
“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.
“Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting cases of police misconduct, abuse of office, extortion, and human rights violations through established complaint channels for prompt investigation and action.
“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.”
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