Rivers State police force sacks five inspectors in connection with armed robbery and abduction charges

The Rivers Police Command has taken drastic action against five inspectors from the Department of Operations, dismissing them due to their alleged involvement in serious crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and conspiracy.

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Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, the Force Public Relations Officer, revealed this information in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, which was made available by ASP Blessing Agabe, the command's spokesperson.

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The dismissed officers were found to have engaged in a pattern of criminal activities spanning from September 2025 to January 2026, targeting various locations across the state, according to Placid.

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The five dismissed inspectors have been identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu, as listed by the force spokesman.

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The case against the officers came to light after the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation submitted petitions on behalf of multiple victims, prompting an investigation into the matter.

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According to the force spokesman, the officers allegedly used minibuses to conduct illegal stop-and-search operations, during which they would intercept unsuspecting members of the public at gunpoint and force them to disclose their banking pass codes and account details.

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The officers would then use this information to forcefully transfer money from their victims' bank accounts, and also falsely presented themselves as operatives of Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, in an attempt to intimidate their victims and avoid suspicion.

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Investigations further revealed that the syndicate allegedly abducted a male victim along Aba Road, forcefully dispossessing him of over N3.6 million and 4,000 dollars from his cryptocurrency wallet.

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Another victim was allegedly abducted and dispossessed of over N7.3 million in cash and valuables, while a third victim reportedly lost N1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road.

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Following their arrest, an orderly room proceeding found the officers culpable, resulting in their immediate dismissal from the Nigerian Police Force.

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A prima facie case of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, official corruption, and extortion has been established against the dismissed officers, according to the police spokesman.

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The case file has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with formal charges expected to be filed within 30 days.

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The police spokesman reaffirmed the commitment of the police to upholding professionalism, accountability, transparency, and protecting the rights of citizens.