Rivers Police Dismiss Five Inspectors Over Alleged Kidnapping, Robbery Syndicate

The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed five inspectors accused of involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and conspiracy following investigations into alleged criminal activities carried out across the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday, May 14, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid.
According to the statement, the dismissed officers were allegedly connected to several criminal incidents reported between September 2025 and January 2026.
The police said the officers reportedly operated as a syndicate, using minibuses to conduct illegal stop-and-search operations while pretending to be security operatives.
The affected inspectors were identified as John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu.
Placid explained that the matter came to public attention after the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation submitted petitions on behalf of victims who accused the officers of violent extortion and abduction.
Investigations allegedly revealed a pattern in which unsuspecting residents were stopped at gunpoint and compelled to provide sensitive banking details.
“He said the officers forced victims to disclose their banking pass codes and account details, adding that they forcibly transferred money from their victims’ bank accounts.”
The police spokesperson also stated that the suspects falsely claimed to be operatives attached to Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa to intimidate victims and avoid suspicion.
One of the incidents uncovered during the investigation reportedly involved the abduction of a man along Aba Road, where the officers allegedly stole over N3.6 million and $4,000 from his cryptocurrency wallet.
Another victim was said to have lost more than N7.3 million in cash and valuables after being kidnapped, while a third victim reportedly lost N1.5 million after being intercepted along NTA Road.
Giving further details, Placid said investigators recovered three Toyota Sienna buses allegedly used in the operations, as well as N7,338,800 traced to the criminal activities.
“Exhibits recovered include three Toyota Sienna buses used for the illegal operations and the sum of N7,338,800.00 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 stated.
He added that the officers underwent orderly room proceedings before being dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.
“Consequently, the five implicated officers were subjected to orderly room proceedings and dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, while the case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption, and related offences,” Placid said.
The police also appealed to members of the public to continue reporting cases of misconduct and abuse involving security personnel through the appropriate complaint channels.
“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 added.