The Nigeria Police Force has moved against several officers implicated in kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion, and abuse of office in Rivers State. Some have been dismissed, others arrested, and all face prosecution.

Force Headquarters said the action is part of an ongoing internal purge to rid the force of bad elements. It stressed that IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu is committed to holding erring officers accountable and restoring public trust.

Investigators uncovered a group of officers from Zone 16 Headquarters in Yenagoa who allegedly ran illegal stop-and-search operations in Port Harcourt. Victims were reportedly abducted and coerced into transferring millions of naira via bank transfers and cryptocurrency platforms.

During the operation, police recovered three Toyota Sienna buses and over ₦7 million linked to the crimes. A number of suspects are still being pursued.

Separately, five former officers from the Rivers State Command were dismissed for their alleged role in organized kidnapping, extortion, and theft.

The police urged members of the public to report any cases of misconduct or human rights violations through the official complaint channels, assuring that all those found guilty will be prosecuted.