Three Policewomen in Rivers State Arrested for Alleged Extortion

Three female police inspectors were arrested by the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly extorting money from motorists in Rumuokoro, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The arrests came after widespread complaints on social media and a video capturing the officers’ actions.

Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the arrest was part of a coordinated monitoring patrol led by the Commissioner of Police’s monitoring team.

“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,” Iringe-Koko announced. She identified the officers involved as Inspector Sarah Anendei, Inspector Caroline Promise, and Inspector Christiana Jatau.

The incident reportedly occurred around 3 p.m. under the Rumuokoro Flyover. Iringe-Koko said that the officers were captured on video by a motorist’s mobile phone while collecting money from drivers—a scene that quickly spread online, sparking outrage. In addition to allegedly extorting motorists, two of the officers, Inspectors Promise and Jatau, were out of uniform, further violating police conduct regulations.

Iringe-Koko said that the police acted swiftly to uphold standards. “The misconduct was captured on video by a mobile phone, providing clear evidence of their actions,” she stated, condemning the officers’ behavior as “unprofessional.”

During the on-site investigation, authorities searched the inspectors and recovered the extorted money. The three officers are now detained and awaiting disciplinary action, which the Police Command emphasized is part of a broader effort to uphold ethical practices and ensure 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,” Iringe-Koko affirmed.

This incident follows a recent trend in Nigeria where videos and social media posts have played a key role in exposing misconduct within the ranks of law enforcement. It highlights the increased scrutiny faced by police officers and the role of citizen documentation in enforcing accountability.