Rivers Police Suspend DPO Over Alleged ₦500,000 Extortion Scandal

The Rivers State Police Command has suspended a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) over allegations of extortion and misconduct currently under investigation.

Police spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the development on Monday in Port Harcourt, saying the officer was relieved of duty following reports circulating on social media.

The allegations claim that the officer collected ₦500,000 from a suspect in exchange for securing his release from detention. It was further alleged that a transfer receipt linked the payment to an Opay account bearing the name of an individual said to be the officer.

Additional claims also accused the officer of arresting a mother of two and charging her to court after she reported that her husband had assaulted her.

Agabe said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olugbenga Adepoju, has ordered a full and impartial investigation into the matter.

According to her, the officer has been removed from duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

“In response to the allegations and in line with the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism, the officer has been removed from office pending a thorough and impartial investigation,” she said.

She added that the command will not tolerate any form of abuse of office or misconduct that could undermine public trust in the police.

Agabe assured residents that the investigation would be conducted professionally and without bias, and that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action in line with police regulations.

The command also urged members of the public to continue reporting cases of alleged misconduct through appropriate channels.