Extortion: Viral Video Lands Police Inspector In Dismissal, Possible Imprisonment

By Frank Oshanugor

The audacity of Police Inspector Richard Gele who held some motorists down few days ago in extortion frenzy has been reciprocated with dismissal and de-kitting from the services of the Nigeria Police Force.

He was caught in a viral video dignifying and justifying extortion of members of the public and official corruption which trended from the 25th of July, 2022. 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.

Force spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement on Friday explained that 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.”

The statement added that the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, while expressing the staunch commitment of his administration at

bequeathing policing standards in tandem with international best practices to the nation, has warned all personnel to eschew extortion, unprofessionalism, official corruption and other inappropriate acts.”

The IGP has also urged them to display exemplary courage and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.