Delta Police Command removes Jesse DPO and detains officer after viral extortion claims, as CP Aina Adesola orders investigation and vows zero tolerance.
The Delta State Police Command has taken decisive disciplinary action following fresh allegations of police extortion, ordering the removal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Jesse Police Division and detaining another officer linked to the controversy.
The move, approved by the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Aina Adesola, comes amid growing public scrutiny after a viral video accused officers of demanding millions of naira to secure a suspect’s release.
The development was confirmed in an official statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Bright Edafe, who said the leadership of the force acted swiftly after reviewing the video and listening to complaints from affected parties.
According to the police, the actions taken so far are part of broader efforts to address allegations of police extortion and restore public confidence in law enforcement across the state.
The incident dates back to January 1, 2026, when the youth leader of the Jesse community reportedly arrested several suspects and brought them to the local police station.
Among those taken into custody was Israel Onojeruo, a 20-year-old identified as the younger brother of the woman who later narrated her experience in the viral video.
Police authorities explained that Onojeruo’s arrest followed a confession by another suspect, Okoro Desmond, who allegedly admitted to selling a firearm to him.
Based on this confession, the suspects were initially held at the Jesse Police Division before being transferred to the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) for further investigation.
However, the situation escalated when the suspect’s sister accused the DPO and other officers of demanding N2.5 million as a condition for her brother’s release.
The allegation, shared widely on social media, quickly sparked public outrage and renewed debate about police extortion and accountability within the Nigeria Police Force.
In response, Commissioner of Police Aina Adesola reportedly ordered an immediate review of the case.
SP Edafe stated that the CP, described as a community-friendly officer, directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the X-Squad to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“As part of preliminary measures, the police constable identified as Bright in the viral video has been detained at the state command headquarters,” the statement said.
“The Divisional Police Officer has also been removed from Jesse Division and redeployed to the headquarters pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The police command further revealed that the removal of the DPO was not solely based on the viral video but also followed a pattern of complaints received from different quarters alleging extortion and unprofessional conduct.
This, according to the police, informed the commissioner’s decision to take firm action without delay.
Observers say the incident reflects a broader challenge facing the Nigeria Police Force, as repeated claims of police extortion continue to undermine trust between citizens and law enforcement, particularly at divisional and checkpoint levels.
Civil society groups have long argued that swift and transparent disciplinary processes are critical to rebuilding public confidence.
Commissioner Adesola reassured residents of Delta State that the command would not shield any officer found guilty of misconduct.
He stressed that any personnel indicted after investigations would be disciplined in line with existing laws, including provisions of the Police Act and police regulations.
“The command under my leadership will not tolerate extortion, intimidation, incivility, or any form of unprofessional behaviour,” the CP was quoted as saying.
“Officers are expected to serve the public with integrity and respect at all times.”
The commissioner also urged members of the public to make use of the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) channels to report misconduct, emphasizing that timely reporting helps the command respond quickly to allegations of police extortion and other abuses.
Residents of Jesse and surrounding communities have expressed mixed reactions to the development.
While some welcomed the swift action, others called for the outcome of the investigation to be made public to ensure transparency and accountability.
Security analysts believe that consistent enforcement of discipline, rather than isolated actions, will determine whether the police can successfully address allegations of police extortion and improve relations with the public.
They argue that visible consequences for wrongdoing send a strong message to officers and reassure citizens that their complaints are taken seriously.
As investigations continue, the Delta State Police Command has pledged to keep the public informed, insisting that professionalism and respect for human rights remain central to its operations.
Ireport247news
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