…Salaries stopped.
By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State Police Command has suspended two police officers, ASP Doubara Edonyabo and ASP Talent Mungo, for extorting the sum of $3,000 United State Dollars from two Abia State men in Port Harcourt.
The officers alongside Inspector Micheal Odey who had earlier been dismissed by the Command have been under investigation by the police since early this year.
The trio had abducted the two men, believed to be businessmen, from Aba in neighbouring Abia State and brought them to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, where they forced them to transfer the said amount to the wallet of one of the officers.
A statement by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the duo were suspended from duty after investigations which indicted them and obtaining due permission from the Police Service Commission.
The statement also said the salaries of the two officers has been stopped while they await trial by the Force Disciplinary Committee, FDC.
“As previously communicated during our press briefing on February 13, 2024, Inspector Michael Odey was found guilty and subsequently dismissed from duty, effective from 07/02/2024, following thorough Orderly room proceedings and a comprehensive review conducted by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16.
“Furthermore, during the aforementioned briefing, we provided information regarding the ongoing reviews pertaining to ASP Doubara Edonyabo and ASP Talent Mungo, as their respective ranks required approval from the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission.
“Today, we hereby inform the public that the Police Service Commission has officially authorized the suspension from duty of ASP Doubara Edonyabo and ASP Talent Mungo, effective from 29/02/2024. Additionally, the salaries of the implicated officers have been stopped. The two officers will face the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), which is responsible for addressing disciplinary issues involving senior officers. Update would soon be given on other cases involving these officers,” Iringe-Koko said.
The statement said the decisive course of action by the Command serves as a strong deterrent to any police officer who may contemplate engaging in misconduct and unequivocally reaffirms the Command’s unwavering commitment to upholding the fundamental principles of credible policing in Rivers State.
She said under the leadership of CP Olatunji Disu, the Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its dedication to maintaining discipline among its officers and encouraged residents to promptly report instances of unprofessional behavior or misconduct displayed by officers.
