The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a former Police Inspector, Richard Gele, on the basis of contact corruption allegations levelled against him and caught in a viral video dignifying and justifying extortion of members of the public and official corruption which trended from July 25, 2022.
The former Inspector, with AP/No. 188547, was until his dismissal, attached to Police Mobile Force 77 Squadron, Okene, Kogi State, and deployed to the Itobe–Anyigba Road for the safety of road users and commuters. This was the route where the incident occurred.
The dismissed Inspector, who hails from Benue State, was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in September, 2000.
The officer has been de-kitted and handed over to the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, for further necessary action.
His dismissal came after subjection to internal disciplinary mechanisms and being found wanting of the charges levelled against him in line with extant laws governing the conduct of police personnel.
His dismissal and de-kitting, however, implies that he, henceforth, ceases to be a member of the Nigeria Police Force.
The IGP, Usman Baba, while expressing the commitment of his administration at bequeathing policing standards in tandem with international best practices to the nation, warned all personnel to eschew extortion, unprofessionalism, corruption and other inappropriate acts.
Additionally, he urged police officers across the nation to display exemplary courage and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.