Police Dismiss Five Inspectors for Armed Robbery, Kidnapping in Rivers State

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five Inspectors from the Rivers State Police Command after they were found to be running an armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion ring across Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers State. The dismissals are part of an accountability push under Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, Force Public Relations Officer, announced the development at a press conference at the Rivers State Police Command headquarters on Thursday evening. He said the five officers went through orderly room proceedings and were dismissed after investigations confirmed their involvement in criminal activities.

The criminal syndicate

The dismissed officers — John Okoi (35), Eyibo Asuquo (41), Udo Ndipmong (38), Bright Nwachukwu (43), and Anele Ikechukwu (36) — operated as a syndicate within the Department of Operations. They used Toyota Sienna vehicles to run illegal patrols, intercepting unsuspecting citizens, abducting them to isolated locations, and forcing them to transfer money from their bank and cryptocurrency accounts.

Between September 2025 and January 2026, the syndicate abducted multiple victims across Rivers State. Armed with AK-47 rifles, they would force victims to unlock their phones and drain their Opay accounts and crypto wallets.

Three others arrested, three at large

Three more Inspectors from Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, have been arrested: Ayanniyi Jelili (44), Durojaye Francis (44), and Olayemi Titus (45). Police recovered three Toyota Sienna vehicles and ₦7,338,800 from those in custody. Three other officers linked to the syndicate are still on the run.

DCP Placid said supervisory failures and complicity by some superior officers made the whole operation possible. “These cases involve officers who abused the authority entrusted to them by engaging in acts completely inconsistent with the ethics, principles, and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.

IGP’s reform agenda

The dismissals fit into IGP Disu’s broader effort to rid the force of corrupt officers. Placid assured the public that the actions of these men don’t represent the institution and reiterated the police’s commitment to accountability.

Sources: punchng.com, premiumtimesng.com, gazettengr.com