(5 Officers Sacked. Photo by TVC News)
The Edo State Police Command has dismissed five officers and demoted another over alleged involvement in a criminal syndicate accused of abd£cting, intimidating and extorting residents in Benin City.
Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem said the action followed months of intelligence-driven investigations prompted by complaints from residents.
The probe reportedly uncovered an organised network comprising serving and dismissed police officers, along with commercial bus drivers.
The syndicate allegedly operated around the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where members intercepted residents, forced them into commercial buses under the guise of police operations, and compelled them to withdraw money through PoS operators before releasing them.
Police operatives arrested members of the syndicate on 13 April, 2026.
More than 11 victims have since identified members of the group and reported being unlawfully arrested, intimidated, abd£cted and forced to surrender money under duress, with investigations continuing as more victims come forward.
The dismissed corporals were named as Mordi Philip, Destiny Emmanuel, Uwatse Emmanuel, Okon Elvis and Samuel David Obeten, all of whom will face prosecution.
Ehubariemen Wisdom, an inspector attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, was demoted to sergeant after being found guilty of misconduct, while Enahoro Nicholas, an inspector attached to Police Mobile Force Squadron 60, was declared a deserter, with efforts ongoing to arrest him.
The command said the action aligns with the policy of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, that culpable officers will not be shielded.
Police warned against abuse of office, corr£ption and extortion, cautioning PoS operators and others against aiding criminal elements, fra£dulent transactions or the laundering of proceeds of crime, warning that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
The command commended victims who came forward to report the incidents and urged others with relevant information to do the same, stressing that no one is above the law.