Police Crack Down on Rogue Officers, Dismiss Personnel Linked to Kidnapping, Robbery

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its internal anti-corruption drive, dismissing and prosecuting police officers allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and abuse of office in Rivers State.

This was disclosed in a press release issued from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid.

According to the statement, the affected officers were implicated in criminal activities ranging from illegal patrol operations to extortion and abduction of civilians, actions the Force described as a “gross betrayal” of professional ethics and public trust.

“The leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, remains resolute in its determination to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution, irrespective of rank or position,” the statement said.

In one of the investigations, police authorities uncovered a syndicate involving serving officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, including Inspectors Ayanniyi Jelili, Durojaye Francis, and Olayemi Titus.

The officers were accused of engaging in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion while carrying out illegal patrols in Port Harcourt.

Investigators alleged that the suspects abducted victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations before forcing access to their banking and cryptocurrency applications to extort money.

“The suspects reportedly extorted millions of naira from victims and operated with firearms during the illegal activities,” the statement noted.

Three additional suspects — Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa — are currently on the run.

Police said exhibits recovered from the operation included three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used for the crimes and ₦7.3 million traced to the illicit activities.

In a separate case, another syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, was uncovered.

The officers — Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu — were accused of organised kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and official corruption.

According to the Force, the dismissed officers routinely abducted citizens and extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

“They were subjected to orderly room proceedings and dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said, adding that the case file had been forwarded for prosecution on multiple criminal charges.

The police urged members of the public to continue reporting misconduct and abuse by officers through official complaint channels.

The Force reaffirmed its commitment to building “a professional, transparent, accountable, and service-driven policing system rooted in the rule of law and protection of citizens’ rights.”