Eight Police Officers Paraded in Rivers State Over Alleged Robbery, Kidnapping and Extortion

 

The Nigeria Police Force has paraded eight police officers in Rivers State over their alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and other criminal activities, in a case that has sparked fresh concerns about misconduct within the security system. [👉READ FROM ORIGINAL SOURCE]

The officers were presented before journalists at the Rivers State Police Command headquarters in Port Harcourt, where the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Flaccid, disclosed details of the ongoing investigation.

According to the police spokesperson, three of the suspects are Inspectors attached to the Zone 16 Police Headquarters in Yenagoa, while the remaining five officers are attached to the Operations Department of the Rivers State Police Command.

Flaccid explained that the investigation began after a complaint was filed on February 3 by a man identified as Festus Saturday. The complainant alleged that he and his cousin were intercepted along the Igbo Etche Road axis of Port Harcourt by armed officers who allegedly posed as members of a routine stop-and-search patrol team.

The victims were reportedly abducted and taken to an undisclosed location where they were allegedly forced to transfer the sum of four million, five hundred thousand naira, alongside 1,742 US dollars, to the suspects.

During the course of investigations, police authorities reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that the group may have carried out similar illegal operations in several parts of Rivers State between September 2025 and January 2026.

[👉 READ FROM ORIGINAL SOURCE]

Police authorities also confirmed that more than ₦9.5 million was recovered from the suspects during the operation. The arrests, according to the Force Headquarters, form part of ongoing efforts to rid the police institution of criminal elements and restore public confidence in law enforcement agencies.

Speaking during the parade, DCP Flaccid stressed that the alleged actions of the officers do not reflect the values, ethics and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force. He assured the public that the force remains committed to accountability, discipline and justice.

He further revealed that three additional suspects linked to the case are currently on the run, adding that efforts are underway to track them down and ensure that all those involved are prosecuted according to the law.

[👉 READ FROM ORIGINAL SOURCE]

The incident has generated widespread reactions among residents and civil society groups, many of whom have called for stricter internal monitoring mechanisms and reforms within the police system to prevent abuse of power and protect citizens from criminal activities allegedly perpetrated by security personnel.