DPO Lands In Trouble For Allowing Cultists Renovate Police Station

The Rivers State Police Command has suspended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Abuloma Division alongside the officer overseeing a local police outpost following allegations that suspected cultists were permitted to renovate the security facility.

Announcing the administrative action on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Command, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, stated that the officers were relieved of their duties following viral social media reports and video footage showing alleged members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity celebrating at the station.

Although the police authority withheld the names of the affected senior officers, ASP Kaborlo confirmed that they were formally queried and detached from their posts pending the outcome of an ongoing high-level investigation.

The disciplinary measure follows a video circulated by the popular anti-cultism digital channel Naija Confra, which depicted suspected Vikings cult members chanting group slogans directly in front of the Abuloma Police Outpost and taking photographs alongside police personnel inside the building on Thursday.

The gathering reportedly occurred on October 15, a date traditionally linked to the annual anniversary celebrations of the Vikings secret cult group.

Strongly condemning the incident, the Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed that police stations are public safety infrastructure built to enforce the law and must never be converted into platforms for unlawful organizations seeking public validation.

Sharing details of the ongoing probe, the command stated, The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, had ordered a full investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and verify the allegations.

The statement explained, According to the command, the investigation will determine the identities and backgrounds of the individuals or groups that financed or facilitated the renovation, the officers who authorised or approved the project, and whether due procedures were followed.

Police authorities added that the inquiry will also establish whether any police personnel breached professional standards, compromised the integrity of the Force or were involved in the incident.

Addressing the issue of public donations, the command noted that while voluntary community assistance is permitted under Section 26(1)(d) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, such contributions must undergo strict vetting so as not to compromise operational independence or security standards.

Reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, the command stated, The Command will not condone unprofessional conduct, compromise or any form of improper association with criminal elements by any police officer. All personnel are expected to uphold the highest standards of discipline, integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties.

The police spokesperson concluded, The Command remains committed to professionalism, transparency, the protection of lives and property, and the fight against cultism and organised crime. Appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be taken against anyone found culpable, in line with the outcome of the investigation and extant laws.

The command further advised residents to maintain calm and continuously provide security agencies with actionable information to help combat cultism and organized crime across Rivers State.