Police Sanction Rivers State DPO Over N.5 Million Extortion, Professional Misconduct

 

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers State Police Command has vowed that nothing will be spared in the efforts to unravel the actual circumstances surrounding allegations of extortion and gross misconduct levelled against the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in-charge of Oyigbo police formation.

A statement from Blessing Agabe, the spokesperson for the Command, informed that a dismayed, and shocked Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, has directed the immediate removal of the DPO from office as well as a thorough investigation into the allegations.

The Source reports that several online reports in the last 24 hours have accused the Oyigbo DPO of allegedly fleecing a suspect of about half a million naira under hazy and suspicious circumstances.

According to independent sources, a human rights activist had, on Friday, accused the DPO of illegally arresting and extorting N500,000 from an unnamed individual at the Oyigbo police Division.

The activists, while moving  to publish evidence of the said payment on the social media, also accused the DPO of filing what he described as a ridiculous charge against a suspect to the effect that she stole her own biological children in the course of a matrimonial misunderstanding with her husband.

While expressing dismay over the development, CP Adepoju, according to the statement, also  reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance for any form of professional misconduct ,and abuse of office.

According to Agabe, the CP has ordered an unfettered probe into the allegations, vowing not to spare anyone found culpable.

“The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a publication currently circulating on various online platforms, alleging misconduct involving a Divisional Police Officer in the Command.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed his deep dismay over the incident, and reiterated that the Command will not tolerate any form of misconduct, abuse of office, or actions capable of undermining public trust and confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

“In response to the allegations, and in line with the Command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism, the officer concerned has been removed from his position pending the outcome of a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter”, the police stated.