The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, announced this in a statement on Friday.
She identified the dismissed officers as Jonas Nnamdi, James Daniel, and Ifeanyi Emeka.
Chinaka said that Nnamdi was a sergeant attached to Police Area Command in Aba, while Daniel, a corporal, was attached to the Department of Operations of the police in Umuahia and Emeka, also a corporal, was attached to Eziama Divisional Police Headquarters in the state.
She also said the three officers were arrested on January 29 after they were found to be armed with an electric baton, an assault rifle, and a Beretta pistol.
Chinaka added that the officers were apprehended alongside two other unnamed civilians by a divisional police officer in the Abayi Area of the state.
She said, “The officers allegedly conspired and hired a minibus, abducted some civilians along Port Harcourt Expressway, threatened and extorted them and thereafter demanded extra money from their families for their release.
“An investigation/orderly room trial was initiated by the (state police) command, and the investigation confirmed their involvement in the unprofessional conduct which is prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, leading to their dismissal.
“Their official accoutrements have been retrieved by the command’s Provost, and they cease to be members of the force.”
The police spokesperson noted that the dismissed officers and their civilian accomplices have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department for prosecution.
Chinaka said the commissioner has reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct, assuring Nigerians that the command will not condone the activities of bad eggs in the force.
She added that the command remains committed to the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ensuring a professional, service-driven, and rule-of-law-compliant police force.
