The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has removed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oyigbo Police Division in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state over allegations of extortion and abuse of office.
The removal followed allegations raised by a rights activist on Friday that the DPO extorted ₦500,000 from an individual who was allegedly arrested and detained at the station without any known offence.
The activist, who displayed evidence of the payment on social media, also accused the officer of filing what he described as a ridiculous charge against a woman, alleging that she stole her own children during a dispute with her estranged husband.
According to the activist, whose name was withheld, the woman was later remanded in a correctional custodial centre based on the charge, a development he condemned.
Reacting to the allegations in a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, said the command had acknowledged the complaints against the Oyigbo DPO.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the officer had been removed from his position to allow for a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.
She said the decision was in line with the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism.
“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 statement read.
Agabe said Adepoju expressed deep displeasure over the allegations and assured members of the public that the matter would be investigated diligently and without bias.
“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, 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,” the statement added.
“In response to the allegations and in line with the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism, the officer concerned has been immediately removed from his position pending the outcome of a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.”
The command further assured residents that the investigation would be handled professionally, adding that appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome of the probe.
