Lagos – After almost 22 years in the service of the Nigeria Police Force, a Police Inspector, Mr. Richard Gele with Force number AP/No. 188547 has been dismissed by the authority for allegedly demanding bribe from a motorist along the highway in Kogi State.
The dismissed officer who had served the Force for almost 22 years was arrested through a video recorded by the victims and went viral on internet recently.
The former Police officer was dismissed, de-kitted and handed over to the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State, for further necessary action on Friday.
Trouble started for Mr. Gele when he was caught in a viral video dignifying and justifying extortion of members of the public and official corruption.
According to the authority, his dismissal was connected with flouting the policing standards in tandem with international best practices to the nation.
He was caught in a video which trended from July 25, 2022 which warranted he being subjected to internal disciplinary mechanism.
Confirming the dismissal in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi says he was found wanting of the charges levelled against him in line with extant laws governing the conduct of police personnel, hence he therefore ceases to be a member of the Nigeria Police Force with immediate effect.
The statement read “The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed one Mr. Richard Gele, the Police Inspector 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.
“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 Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, while expressing the staunch commitment of his administration at bequeathing policing standards in tandem with international best practices to the nation, warned all personnel to eschew extortion, unprofessionalism, official corruption and other inappropriate acts. The IGP urged them to display exemplary courage and patriotism in the discharge of their duties”, the statement added.
