The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has relieved the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oyigbo Division of his duties following allegations of extortion and abuse of office.
The action came after a rights activist accused the officer of unlawfully collecting ₦500,000 from an individual who was allegedly arrested and detained without committing any known offence.
The activist, who shared evidence of the payment on social media, also alleged that the officer filed what he described as baseless charges against a woman during a dispute with her estranged husband, accusing her of stealing her own children. The woman was reportedly remanded in a correctional facility based on the charges.
Reacting to the allegations, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed that it had received complaints concerning the officer’s conduct.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Grace Iringe-Koko Agabe, said the DPO’s removal was ordered to allow for a transparent and unbiased investigation into the matter.
She stated that Commissioner Adepoju views the allegations seriously and remains committed to upholding professionalism, accountability and public confidence in the police force.
According to the statement, the command will not tolerate any form of misconduct or abuse of authority by its personnel.
“The officer has been removed from his position pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the allegations,” the statement noted.
The commissioner also assured residents that the probe would be conducted thoroughly and fairly, with appropriate action to be taken based on the findings.
The police reiterated their commitment to maintaining discipline within the force and ensuring that officers who violate professional standards are held accountable.