BY NKECHI NAECHE-RSEZOBOR—The Nigeria Police Force has removed five officers from service and taken additional personnel into custody over allegations linked to abduction, armed theft, unlawful demands, and other serious violations in Rivers State.
According to an official release by Force spokesperson Anthony Okon Placid, the action is part of a wider internal cleanup aimed at identifying and eliminating corrupt elements within the organisation.
The statement indicated that the officers were implicated in coordinated offences including collusion, violent robbery, unlawful detention of citizens, bribery, and misuse of authority across Rivers State and neighbouring locations.
The Force described the conduct as a severe violation of professional ethics and a breach of the standards expected of personnel in the Nigeria Police Force.
Investigations reportedly revealed the existence of an organised group of serving officers operating from Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa.
These officers were accused of carrying out illegal patrols in Port Harcourt, during which victims were allegedly stopped, detained, and stripped of funds through forced access to their financial and digital accounts.
Authorities also disclosed that three additional suspects linked to the operations are still evading arrest.
Items recovered during the probe include three Toyota Sienna vehicles and ₦7,338,800 traced to proceeds of the alleged activities.
In a related case, another group of personnel previously attached to the Rivers State Command’s operational unit were found guilty of coordinated abuses involving detention for ransom, financial coercion, and theft under the guise of official duties.
The dismissed officers are expected to face prosecution, while the Police Force encouraged citizens to continue reporting misconduct, corruption, and rights violations through established complaint channels for swift action.
