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The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has removed the Divisional Police Officer of Oyigbo Police Division in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state over alleged extortion and abuse of office.

The DPO’s removal followed allegation by a rights activist at the weekend, that the DPO extorted ₦500,000 from an individual who was allegedly arrested and detained at the station without any known offence.

The activist who displayed evidence of the payment on social media also alleged that the officer preferred what he described as a ridiculous charge against a woman, accusing her of stealing her own children in the course of a dispute with her estranged husband.

According to the activist (names witheld) the woman was subsequently remanded in a correctional custodial centre based on the charges, a development he condemned.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, the coommand acknowledged receipt of the complaints against the Oyigbo DPO.

Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the DPO’s removal was in line with
the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism,.

She said the decision of CP Adepoju to promptly remove the DPO from his position is to pave the way for a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations.

She, however, said the Commissioner of Police has assured members of the public that the investigation would be conducted diligently, professionally and without bias.

The statement partly reads, “The attention of the Rivers State Police Command has been drawn to a publication currently circulating on various online platforms alleging misconduct involving a Divisional Police Officer in the command.

“The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Olugbenga Adepoju, expressed his deep dismay over the incident and reiterated that the command will not tolerate any form of misconduct, abuse of office, or actions capable of undermining public trust and confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

“In response to the allegations and in line with the command’s commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism, the officer concerned has been immediately removed from his position pending the outcome of a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.”

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Dozens of foreigners have fled their homes after the alleged k!lling of a Malawian man at the Jika Joe informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

According to the Times Lives, the incident followed a huge protest in the Pietermaritzburg city centre by anti-immigrant civic body March and March as part of their campaign to drive out illegal foreigners from the country.

Residents claimed the man who lived in the settlement with his family was allegedly stoned to d3ath by a group armed with sticks.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda, who confirmed the incident said police are investigating a case of m8rder after the death of a 29-year-old foreigner at the settlement on Friday, June 19, 2026.

“Information available at this stage suggests that the deceased was allegedly attacked by a group of people at Sable Flats Manor but managed to escape and ran towards the Jika Joe informal settlement. Reports indicate that the deceased slipped into the river. He was found on the riverbed with a cut on the head and injuries on the mouth. He was declared d3ad at the scene,” Netshiunda stated.

The circumstances that led to the attack and the subsequent d3ath are under investigation.

Netshiunda said the area is stable with police monitoring the situation.

However, area ward councillor Suraya Reddy said the area was still volatile on Saturday as the foreigners had to flee their homes in fear of their lives.

“Many of them were attacked and were running, without shoes or their possessions, and came under attack. Some of them were injured, and we arranged temporary shelter for them. They are mainly Malawians and we had to engage private medical care because they were refused treatment at government facilities,” Reddy said.

“A network of NGOs are arranging a bus to have them transported to Durban, where we hope they can join other Malawians who were also chased away from their homes. It’s heartbreaking to see this unfolding here. It’s a human rights abuse and we cannot sit back and watch people attack other human beings for whatever reason.”

“It was a terrible sight seeing people running in terror. Even the children were traumatised,” said one resident who asked not to be named.

It is further alleged that the d3ad man’s brother was also injured during the incident.

Msunduzi municipality mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla condemned the incident.

He described it as a crisis, saying human rights were being violated.

“Human lives are now at risk, whether foreign nationals or South Africans. We cannot allow people to come into communities and take a life,” he said.

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A commission of inquiry set up by the Benue State Government to investigate the state’s income and expenditure between 2015 and 2023 has uncovered N139.8 billion in unaccounted public funds.

The Chairman of the Benue State Income and Expenditure Commission of Inquiry, Justice Jubril Idrisu (retd), disclosed this on Friday while presenting the commission’s report to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House, Makurdi.

Idrisu said the commission’s findings showed that the state generated more than N826.5 billion in revenue during the period under review, while expenditure stood at about N683.4 billion.

According to him, the records revealed an unaccounted balance of approximately N139.8 billion, which the commission recommended should be recovered from persons found responsible.

“The commission’s findings, contained in two volumes, revealed significant concerns in the management of public finances during the period under review.

“Records showed that the state generated over N826.5 billion in revenue, while expenditure stood at about N683.4 billion, leaving an unaccounted balance of approximately N139.8 billion,” he said.

The retired jurist explained that the commission, inaugurated in June 2025, was mandated to examine the income and expenditure of the immediate past administration and the 23 local government councils between May 29, 2015, and May 28, 2023.

He said the panel also uncovered questionable loan transactions involving some financial institutions and local government councils, including repayments that far exceeded the original loan amounts without adequate documentation.

Idrisu further disclosed that investigators identified irregular transfers of public funds to certain financial institutions without sufficient records or proof of legitimacy, recommending appropriate recoveries where necessary.

He stressed the need for stronger financial controls, including proper authorisation of online transactions by designated officers and an end to the practice of issuing blank pre-signed mandates.

According to him, such practices undermine transparency and accountability in public financial management.

Receiving the report, Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and institutional reforms.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode, Alia commended the panel for their courage and painstaking assignment undertaken in the public interest.

He said Justice Idrisu was selected to head the commission because of his reputation as a fearless jurist and a man of integrity.

Alia expressed confidence that implementation of the commission’s recommendations would strengthen institutions, curb the misuse of public resources and ensure accountability for those found culpable.

He acknowledged the challenges encountered by the commission, including difficulties in obtaining information and cooperation from some individuals and institutions, but commended members for their resilience and dedication.

He also apologised for logistical difficulties experienced by the commission, noting that the present administration inherited serious institutional and administrative challenges at the inception of its tenure.

He assured the panel that its work would serve as a critical reference point in the state’s efforts to rebuild public confidence and restore accountability in governance.

The governor added that future generations would look back at the report as evidence of the commission’s contribution to strengthening transparency and responsible management of public resources in Benue.

NAN