The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors following orderly room trials for organized armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and official corruption in Rivers State, while four other officers implicated in the same criminal networks remain at large and are being actively sought by authorities.
Force Public Relations Officer DCP Anthony Placid said investigations uncovered two separate criminal syndicates involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa and the Department of Operations in Rivers State Command, both of which had been using official patrol duties as cover for abducting citizens, extorting millions through forced access to banking and cryptocurrency applications, and dispossessing victims of valuables.
Three inspectors from Zone 16, identified as Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus, were arrested for armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion within Port Harcourt, with three accomplices, Awele Ogbogu, Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa, currently at large. Exhibits recovered from the syndicate included three Toyota Sienna buses and N7,338,800 traced to criminal activities.
The five dismissed inspectors from the Rivers State Command, identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu, were found to have routinely abducted citizens and extorted money through unlawful transfers during patrols. Their case files have been forwarded for prosecution on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and official corruption.
The police force encouraged members of the public to continue reporting cases of misconduct, abuse of office, and human rights violations through established complaint channels.
