Alleged Kidnapping by Police Officers: Delta State House of Assembly Candidate Raises Concerns Over Lack of Prosecution

Harrison Gwamnishu, a Delta State House of Assembly candidate, has raised concerns about the delayed prosecution of three officers from the Rivers State Police Command accused of kidnapping a man. The officers, identified as ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and Inspector Odey Michael, allegedly abducted an individual in Aba, Abia State, took him to Bayelsa State, and later to Ughelli in Delta State, where they allegedly extorted 3000 USDT equivalent to N4,200,000 from him.

The police statement confirmed the arrest of the officers and the initiation of an investigation, with the money returned to the victim on January 18. However, Gwamnishu, who initially raised the alarm, expressed frustration on social media, stating that the officers were still “walking freely” at the command and suggested they wouldn’t be dismissed due to their senior positions.

Gwamnishu, in his post, highlighted the potential risk to lives and called attention to the officers’ identities: ASP Doubara Edonyabo, ASP Talent Mungo, and Inspector Odey Michael.

The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, could not be reached for an immediate reaction. However, in a statement released on January 22, Iringe-Koko disclosed that the officers were facing disciplinary actions, with official queries issued and an orderly room trial slated for the inspector. The command also expressed its commitment to transparency by publicly parading the officers before the press.

This incident follows previous cases of misconduct involving police officers in Rivers State, including the alleged abduction of a hotel worker in December.