Police Fire 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 authorities also announced that three inspectors and one corporal based at Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa, who were implicated in similar crimes, remain at large.

The action follows the Inspector‑General of Police’s zero‑tolerance policy on misconduct.

Mr. Olatunji Disu, who assumed office with a pledge to hold every officer accountable for breaches of professional ethics and the policing code of conduct, has overseen the dismissals.

In a statement released on Friday, 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 police personnel involved in conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, theft and abuse of office in Rivers State and its environs.”

“The actions of the affected 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 officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa – Inspector Ayanniyi Jelili, Inspector Durojaye Francis and Inspector Olayemi Titus – who allegedly carried out armed robbery, kidnapping and extortion while conducting illegal patrols in Port Harcourt. The officers reportedly abducted victims during unlawful stop‑and‑search operations, forced access to their banking and cryptocurrency accounts, and extorted millions of naira from them.

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

Exhibits recovered from the suspects 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 had allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting members of the public within Rivers State,” he said.

The spokesperson also disclosed a separate investigation that uncovered a 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 dispossessed them of 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, with the case file forwarded for prosecution on charges of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption and related offences,” the statement added.

The police authorities urged the public to continue reporting cases of police 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.