The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced significant disciplinary actions against its personnel, dismissing five inspectors and arresting several others for a range of serious offenses including kidnapping, extortion, armed robbery, stealing, and official corruption. These actions underscore the Force's commitment to upholding its ethics and eradicating criminal elements within its ranks, reaffirming a zero-tolerance stance on professional misconduct.

In one primary case, five inspectors formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, were subjected to orderly room proceedings and subsequently dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force. These officers, identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu, were found to have routinely engaged in organized acts of kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and official corruption. Operating under the guise of official patrol duties, they abducted citizens, unlawfully extorted money through transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and dispossessed them of valuable possessions. Following their dismissal, their case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges encompassing conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and official corruption.

Further investigations by the NPF uncovered a separate criminal syndicate involving police officers attached to the Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, who were operating illegal patrols in Port Harcourt. This group was implicated in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion. The officers would abduct victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations, forcefully gain access to their banking and cryptocurrency applications, and extort millions of naira from them. Three of these officers, Inspector Ayanniyi Jelili, Inspector Durojaye Francis, and Inspector Olayemi Titus, have been arrested. However, three other accomplices, Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa, remain at large. Exhibits recovered from their criminal activities include three Toyota Sienna buses used for their illegal operations and the sum of ₦7,338,800.00. Findings confirmed that these suspects operated with firearms and had allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting members of the public within Rivers State.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, emphasized that the actions of these officers represent a grave betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values expected of the Nigeria Police Force. The leadership, under the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu (also referred to as Olatunji Disu), has reaffirmed its unwavering determination to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution, irrespective of their rank or position. The IGP had previously vowed upon assuming office not to spare any officer found guilty of violating professional ethics and the policing code of conduct.

The NPF remains committed to fostering a professional, transparent, accountable, and service-driven policing system, firmly rooted in the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights. The Force encourages members of the public to continue reporting cases of police misconduct, abuse of office, extortion, and human rights violations through established complaint channels to ensure prompt investigation and action.