The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has removed the Divisional Police Officer of Oyigbo Police Division in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state over alleged extortion and abuse of office.
The DPO’s removal followed allegation 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 alleged that the officer preferred what he described as a ridiculous charge against a woman, accusing her of stealing her own children in the course of a dispute with her estranged husband.
According to the activist (names witheld) the woman was subsequently remanded in a correctional custodial centre based on the charges, a development he condemned.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, the coommand acknowledged receipt of the complaints against the Oyigbo DPO.
Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the DPO’s removal was in line with
the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism,.
