The Rivers State Police Command has removed the Divisional Police Officer of Oyigbo Division, CSP Ugochukwu Ijeoma, following allegations of extortion and misconduct raised in a viral video.
The action was taken by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, after claims surfaced accusing the officer of financial abuse and abuse of office.
The allegations were made by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who accused the officer of extorting N500,000 from a suspect during a police raid.
Gwamnishu also alleged that suspects were detained and only released after payments were made into the officer’s personal account.
In the viral video, he said: “DPO Oyigbo, DPO Ugochukwu, extorted N500,000 from a suspect who was raided.”
He further claimed that evidence of the transfer into the officer’s personal account was shown in the footage.
According to him, the officer later refunded the money after pressure from the exposure.
The activist also raised a separate allegation involving a domestic violence case handled by the same division.
He alleged that a woman, identified as Mrs Njideka Okorieocha, was detained after leaving an abusive marriage.
Gwamnishu said, “The DPO did not take any action against him… he instead charged her for stealing her own children.”
He further accused the officer of ignoring domestic violence complaints while acting in favour of the husband.
The Rivers State Police Command confirmed the removal of the DPO in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, Blessing Agabe.
The command said Commissioner Adepoju ordered the officer’s removal following the viral allegations.
It added that the matter is being reviewed as part of internal disciplinary processes.
The police have not yet confirmed any criminal charges, but investigations are expected to continue.
