Three police officers in Rivers State are set to face an orderly room trial following allegations of extortion involving $3,000 from two travelers in Abia State. The officers, identified as Assistant Superintendents of Police Doubara Edonyabo and Talent Mungo, along with Inspector Odey Michael, were paraded by the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in Port Harcourt.
The internal disciplinary measures were initiated in response to a report by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who accused the officers of arresting and extorting money from a man before dumping him in Port Harcourt. The officers had reportedly transported the man across Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states during the incident.
According to Iringe-Koko, the $3,000 (equivalent to N4.2 million) has been recovered from the officers and returned to the victims on January 18. The victims were arrested in Abia State and taken to Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states for alleged fraud without disclosing the complainant’s identity or the nature of the offense.
The police spokesperson stated, “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.” The two assistant superintendents of police have been issued official queries, while the inspector is slated for an orderly room trial.
Iringe-Koko emphasized transparency, professionalism, and accountability by parading the errant officers publicly. She expressed regret for the negative impact on the reputation of the Rivers State Command and the Nigeria Police Force. The statement reiterated the Inspector General of Police’s zero-tolerance stance against corruption and misconduct within the Force, assuring the public of the police’s commitment to maintaining trust and confidence.