The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed and de-kitted an Inspector of Police, Richard Gele, for justifying extortion of members of the public.
His dismissal was contained in a press release by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The dismissed police officer, who is from Kogi State, was caught in a viral video which has been trending since, Monday, 25 July, 2022, extorting money from some motorists.
He was seen in the video boasting that he was only conducting his business, claiming that his superior told him not to collect peanuts, but make big money from motorists.
He further said what he was doing was not an extortion because President Muhammadu Buhari and other elected public office holders were also making their own money.
The Police Force in the release, Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/159 and dated July 29, 2022, stated that Inspector Richard Gele was dismissed for “dignifying and justifying extortion of members of the public and official corruption.
“The Inspector, with AP/No. 188547, who until his dismissal, was attached to Police Mobile Force 77 Squadron, Okene, Kogi State and deployed to the Itobe -Anyigba Road, for safety of road users and commuters, along the route, where the incident occurred.
“The dismissed Inspector who hails from Benue State, was enlisted into the Force in September, 2000.
“His dismissal came after subjection to internal disciplinary mechanism and being found wanting of the charges levelled against him in line with extant laws governing the conduct of police personnel.
“He therefore ceases to be a member of the Nigeria Police Force with immediate effect. The officer has been de-kitted and handed over to the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, for further necessary action,” CSP Adejobi stated in the release.
He said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, expressed the staunch commitment of his administration at bequeathing policing standards in tandem with international best practices to the nation.
“[The IGP] warned all personnel to eschew extortion, unprofessionalism, official corruption and other inappropriate acts. He urged them to display exemplary courage and patriotism in the discharge of their duties,” Adejobi added.
