The Nigeria Police Force, NPF on Friday dismissed an Inspector and five sergeants attached to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike over alleged misconduct.
The affected police personnel, ex-Inspector Eyong Victor, ex-Sgts. Peter Ekpo, Oguni Goodluck, Orji Nwoke, Okpe Ezekiel and Tanko Akor were dismissed over alleged misuse of fire arms during the just concluded legislative rerun in the state.
The dismissed operatives were said to have disobeyed senior officers by preventing officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from moving election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre, an action that contravenes the provisions of Force Order 237.
Parading the ex-police officers on Friday in Abuja, the Force spokesperson, Donald Awunah said the behaviour of the recalcitrant operatives was a breach of directive and its unacceptable.
According to Awunah, the recalcitrant operatives in the course of discreet investigations were found to have disrespected directives, compromised and engaged in unprofessional acts.
He said, “These aforementioned police personnel while in the convoy of the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike on the date of election on December 10, 2016 misused the firearms in their possession contrary to the provisions of Force Order 237.
“The personnel became overzealous, took laws into their hands and opened fire, causing panic in the crowd.
“They joined in storming the Port Harcourt City Council Secretariat and prevented the movement of election results of Emouha polling unit to the appropriate collation centre designated by INEC, in flagrant disregard and disobedience to senior police officers present at the venue.
“They will be prosecuted under the Electoral Act to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Their actions are capable of bringing the entire Nigeria Police Force to disrepute and portray the Force in a very bad light as a lawless organization not guided by the rule of law.”