Nigeria Police Force Sacks Officers
The Nigeria Police Force has taken disciplinary action against officers accused of misconduct in Edo State.
The Police Command dismissed five officers and demoted one inspector following investigations into allegations of kidnapping, unlawful arrest and extortion involving some personnel and civilian collaborators in Benin City.
The command said the officers were linked to a group accused of using the appearance of police operations to target residents around the Temboga axis, off Aduwawa area of Benin.
The affected officers include Corporals Mordi Philip, Destiny Emmanuel, Uwatse Emmanuel, Okon Elvis and Samuel David Obeten, who were dismissed, while Inspector Ehubariemen Wisdom was reduced in rank to Sergeant after the internal disciplinary process.
Another officer, Inspector Enahoro Nicholas, was declared wanted after allegedly abandoning his duty post.
The suspects allegedly intercepted victims, moved them in commercial buses and forced them to withdraw money before releasing them.
The disciplinary action followed investigations by the State Intelligence Department after several complaints were received from members of the public.
Police authorities said more than 11 victims had identified members of the group during the investigation.
Meanwhile, the police have redeployed Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan to the Force Headquarters in Abuja ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
The redeployment came after concerns from political actors and groups over the handling of security matters in the state.
The police later announced the deployment of Samuel Erale as the new commissioner expected to oversee security operations during the election period.
