Police fire officer, demote three for serious crimes

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed one of its officers from service and demoted three others to lower ranks for their alleged involvement in several serious crimes.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Adejobi said the action was taken against the police officers after thorough investigations that confirmed their guilt in allegations including membership in a robbery and kidnapping gang and extortion of millions of naira from a victim.

He said the inspector was dismissed for alleged crimes of conspiracy, armed robbery/kidnapping and corrupt practices.

According to him, the dismissed officer, along with five others, were alleged to be members of an armed robbery gang responsible for robbing a victim in Gwagwalada, FCT, of the sum of N29.8 million.

He said the gang was also responsible for the kidnapping of one Ikechukwu Okafor in Tunga Manje, FCT, and collecting a ransom of N4.4 million.

As a result, the dismissed officer had been charged in court, the police spokesperson said.

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Demoted officers

He said the other three officers, attached to the Special Tactical Squad (STS), had been demoted to their previous rank of sergeant, for extorting money from some motorists in Abuja.

“The trio intercepted an unregistered Mercedes Benz in Gwarinpa, Abuja and forced its occupants to part with the total sum of N29.4 million.

“The matter, when reported by one Harrison Gwamnishu (@HarrisonBBi18), through the social media platform – ‘X’, was properly addressed and investigated.

“Although the money was returned to the complainants, the officers were subjected to an orderly trial in court, in accordance with current laws, and were demoted,” Adejobi said.

Road to reforms

He said several other senior officers had been subjected to Force Disciplinary Committee hearings.

The police spokesman said the hearings were part of a comprehensive review process to scrutinize and address allegations of misconduct against senior officers in the Force.

He said the wave of disciplinary actions was part of a broader initiative to implement comprehensive reforms within the police force.

Adejobi said the reforms were aimed at strengthening internal oversight mechanisms and improving its training programme.

He added that the reforms focused on ethics, community policing and improving transparency in disciplinary procedures.

(YAYA)