Three female police inspectors have been detained by the Rivers State Police Command following allegations of extortion at the Rumuokoro area in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident unfolded after multiple social media reports accused the officers of harassing and extorting motorists in the vicinity.
The Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt that the arrests came after a coordinated patrol by the Commissioner of Police’s monitoring unit, which was dispatched in response to the complaints circulating online.
The officers, caught on video, were identified as Inspector Sarah Anendei, Inspector Caroline Promise, and Inspector Christiana Jatau.
Iringe-Koko explained that the captured footage provided indisputable evidence of the misconduct, which she described as “unprofessional,” particularly as some of the officers were out of uniform during the incident.
She added that, “The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three of its officers following a coordinated monitoring patrol by operatives from the Commissioner of Police team, CP Monitoring Unit on October 29, 2024.”
The arrest took place under the Rumuokoro Flyover around 3 pm, where the inspectors were reportedly engaged in extorting innocent motorists.
Two of the officers—Inspectors Caroline Promise and Christiana Jatau—were noted for being out of uniform, a direct breach of the department’s regulations.
Their unprofessional actions, caught on mobile phone footage, confirmed the complaints and provided the evidence needed to take swift action.
“During the immediate on-site investigation, the operatives searched the officers and recovered the money taken from the motorists, marking a swift response in upholding ethical practices within the Rivers State Police Command,” Iringe-Koko’s statement continued.
Currently, the three officers are being held in detention, pending the outcome of further disciplinary proceedings. In her closing remarks, Iringe-Koko reiterated the Command’s stance on accountability, “The Rivers State Police Command reaffirms its commitment to professional integrity and assures the public that any personnel found violating the principles of service will be held accountable.”
