The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors attached to the Rivers State Police Command over allegations of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and conspiracy.
The dismissed officers were identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu and Anele Ikechukwu.
Force spokesperson, Anthony Placid, disclosed the development while parading eight police inspectors at the Rivers State Police Command headquarters in Port Harcourt on Friday.
According to the police, the officers were allegedly part of a criminal syndicate that operated under the guise of patrol duties across parts of Rivers State.
Investigators alleged that the officers used Sienna buses to intercept residents during illegal stop-and-search operations before forcing victims to unlock their phones and transfer money from bank and cryptocurrency accounts.
The police said several victims were abducted and taken to isolated locations where they were assaulted and forced to surrender funds running into millions of naira.
One victim was reportedly forced to transfer ₦4.5 million and $1,742 from a cryptocurrency wallet after being abducted along Igbo-Etche Road in Port Harcourt.
The police also revealed that ₦7.3 million and three Toyota Sienna vehicles were recovered during investigations.
Three additional suspects linked to the syndicate are currently on the run.
The Force spokesperson stated that the dismissed officers had already undergone orderly room trial and would face prosecution.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to discipline, transparency and the protection of citizens’ rights,” Placid said.
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