Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, has dismissed three officers over allegations of conspiracy, abduction, and extortion.
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka.
The officers identified as Sergeant Jonas Nnamdi, Corporal James Daniel, and Corporal Ifeanyi Emeka were implicated in the crimes.
Chinaka revealed that Nnamdi was attached to the Police Area Command in Aba, while Daniel worked with the Department of Operations in Umuahia, and Emeka was attached to Eziama Divisional Police Headquarters.
According to the statement, the trio was apprehended on January 29, armed with an electric baton, an assault rifle, and a Beretta pistol.
They were arrested alongside two unnamed civilians by a divisional police officer in the Abayi area of the state.
“The officers allegedly conspired and hired a minibus, abducted some civilians along Port Harcourt Expressway, threatened and extorted them and thereafter demanded extra money from their families for their release,” Chinaka said.
Following an investigation and orderly room trial, the officers were found guilty of unprofessional conduct.
Their actions were described as “prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of officers of the Nigeria Police Force,” which led to their dismissal.
“Their official accoutrements have been retrieved by the command’s Provost, and they cease to be members of the force,” the police spokesperson added.
The dismissed officers and their civilian accomplices have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further prosecution.
Chinaka emphasized the commissioner’s commitment to upholding discipline within the force, noting that the command maintains a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and misconduct.
She assured the public that efforts to rid the police force of bad elements will continue in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to build a professional and rule-of-law-compliant police force.
