Rivers Police Parade Officers for N4.2m Extortion

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police Command has paraded three police officers for misconduct, abduction, and extortion of over N4million from yet to be identified victims in the state.

Last Friday, a Twitter user with the handle @harrisonbbi18 made a post saying: “Police officers attached to Rivers State Police Command left Port Harcourt to Aba, Abia State, arrested a man, took him to Rivers State, Bayelsa State, and entered Ughelli, Delta State. After paying $3,000, they moved him back to Port Harcourt and dumped him.”

Parading the suspects, including two Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and one Inspector, at the state police headquarters in Port Harcourt yesterday, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed that they have arrested and recovered a sum of $3000 from the officers.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said the victims were arrested in Abia State taken to Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States for the alleged fraudulent act.

Iringe-Koko, who disclosed that the extorted money was recovered and released to the victims on January 18, 2024, said the suspects are facing disciplinary measures by the Command authorities.

According to the police spokesperson, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the public that it has taken decisive action in response to a distressing incident involving the unlawful abduction and extortion of two young men by three of our officers, ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and the Inspector Odey Michael.

“The victims were arrested in Abia State, taken to Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively for alleged fraud by yet-to-be-seen complainant. They were extorted of the sum of $3000 equivalent to N4,200,000.

“Immediate steps were taken to apprehend the officers involved, and a thorough investigation was conducted to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident. The extorted money was recovered and released to the victims on January 18, 2024.”

Iringe-Koko, who spoke on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, explained that: “Following a comprehensive inquiry, it has been established that the actions of the officers in question were in clear violation of the law and the ethical standards expected of members of the Nigeria Police Force. As a result, appropriate disciplinary measures are being taken to ddress this grave misconduct.”

She assured the public that the Command is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability, stressing that: “The behaviour exhibited by the implicated officers is completely unacceptable and does not represent the values and principles of our organisation.”

The Command has reassured “the public to remain resolute in our commitment to serving and protecting the community with the utmost professionalism and integrity. We urge the public to continue to have faith in the Nigeria Police Force as we strive to maintain the trust and confidence of the citizens we are sworn to serve.”