Nigeria Police Dismiss 5 Inspectors for Robbery, Kidnapping

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed five inspectors formerly attached to the Rivers State Police Command in Port Harcourt over allegations of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, criminal conspiracy, and official corruption, with formal charges expected within 30 days.

The officers, identified as Inspectors John Okoi, Eyibo Asuquo, Udo Ndipmong, Bright Nwachukwu, and Anele Ikechukwu, were linked to a series of crimes between September 2025 and January 2026 across Rivers State. Police spokesperson DCP Anthony Placid disclosed the development in statements issued in Port Harcourt this week, noting that the case surfaced through petitions from the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation on behalf of multiple victims.

Investigations revealed that the inspectors operated in minibuses, conducting illegal stop-and-search operations. They allegedly held residents at gunpoint, forced them to disclose banking details and passcodes, and transferred funds from victims' bank and cryptocurrency accounts. The suspects posed as operatives from Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa to intimidate victims and avoid detection.

Specific incidents included the abduction of a man along Aba Road, from whom...