Police dismiss officers amid allegations of kidnapping, robbery, and extortion in Rivers

The Nigeria Police Force announced that it has dismissed, arrested, and will prosecute officers accused of kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and other crimes in Rivers State.

The announcement was made in a statement released on the police force’s official page on 14 May 2026.

The statement said the implicated officers were connected to cases of conspiracy, theft, abuse of office, and other unlawful activities in Rivers State and nearby regions.

Investigations revealed a syndicate of officers based at Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa, namely Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus.

The force alleged that these officers carried out unlawful stop‑and‑search operations in Port Harcourt, during which victims were reportedly abducted and coerced into transferring funds from their bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

The statement also noted that three other officers—Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa—remain at large.

Investigators seized three Toyota Sienna buses believed to have been used in the operations and recovered N7,338,800 that was allegedly connected to the crimes.

In a separate investigation, the force identified another group of officers from the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, accused of kidnapping, extortion, and official corruption.

Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu were dismissed following internal disciplinary proceedings, and the cases were forwarded for prosecution.

“The leadership of the Force under the Inspector‑General of Police remains resolute in its determination to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution,” the statement read.