Police Dismiss and Prosecute Five Officers Over Alleged Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Other Misconduct

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors after an orderly room trial that found them guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and other professional misconduct.

Police officials also announced that three inspectors and one corporal based at Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa, who are alleged to have committed similar crimes, remain at large.

These actions align with the Inspector‑General of Police’s zero‑tolerance policy on misconduct.

Mr. Olatunji Disu, the Inspector‑General, pledged upon taking office to hold every officer accountable for violations of professional ethics and the policing code of conduct.

In a statement released yesterday, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said: “The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to discipline, accountability, and institutional reform through the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of personnel involved in conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, theft, and abuse of office in Rivers State and its environs.”

“The actions of the dismissed officers represent a gross betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values of the Nigeria Police Force. Under IGP Olatunji Disu, the leadership remains determined to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution, regardless of rank or position,” Placid added.

Investigations revealed a criminal syndicate of serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa—Inspector Ayanniyi Jelili, Inspector Durojaye Francis, and Inspector Olayemi Titus—who allegedly carried out armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion while operating illegal patrols in Port Harcourt. The officers reportedly abducted victims during unlawful stop‑and‑search operations, forcibly accessed their banking and cryptocurrency accounts, and extorted millions of naira.

Placid said the three officers were arrested, while three accomplices—Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa—remain at large.

Recovered evidence included three Toyota Sienna buses used for the illegal operations and N7,338,800 traced to the criminal activities.

“Findings further revealed that the suspects operated with firearms and carried out similar operations against unsuspecting members of the public within Rivers State,” he said.

The spokesperson also disclosed a separate investigation that uncovered another criminal syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command. The officers—Inspector John Okoi, Inspector Eyibo Asuquo, Inspector Udo Ndipmong, Inspector Bright Nwachukwu, and Inspector Anele Ikechukwu—were accused of organised kidnapping, extortion, theft, and official corruption.

According to Placid, the dismissed officers routinely abducted citizens, extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and seized their valuables while posing as official patrol officers.

Consequently, the five implicated officers were subjected to orderly room proceedings and dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force. Their case files have been forwarded for prosecution on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption, and related offences.

The police authorities urged the public to continue reporting 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,” the statement concluded.