The Rivers State Police Command has announced that three of its officers involved in the abduction and extortion of $3,000 from two travellers will face an orderly room trial and official queries, respectively. The spokesperson for the command, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this while parading the suspects before the media in Port Harcourt on Monday. The actions against the officers are part of the internal disciplinary measures taken by the police to address the unlawful activities of its operatives.
According to Iringe-Koko, the officers, including two Assistant Superintendents of Police and an Inspector, had abducted the victims in Abia State, then transported them to Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states under the pretext of alleged fraud by an unseen complainant. The victims were subsequently extorted of $3,000, equivalent to N4.2 million.
The police spokesperson stated, “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.”
The comprehensive inquiry established that the officers’ actions were in clear violation of the law and ethical standards expected of members of the Nigeria Police Force. In response to these findings, the two Assistant Superintendents of Police were issued official queries, while the Inspector is scheduled for an orderly room trial.
To demonstrate transparency and accountability, the Rivers State Police Command decided to publicly parade the officers before the press. Iringe-Koko emphasized the commitment of the command to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. She acknowledged the negative impact of such misconduct on the reputation of the Rivers State Command and the Nigeria Police Force, emphasizing that the actions of a few individuals should not overshadow the dedication of the majority of officers who serve with honor.
The spokesperson reassured the public of the command’s commitment to serving and protecting the community with professionalism and integrity. She urged the public to continue having faith in the police, emphasizing that the incident does not reflect the aspirations of the Nigeria Police Force as a whole. Iringe-Koko concluded by highlighting the Inspector General of Police’s consistent zero-tolerance stance against corruption and misconduct within the force.
