The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed Edith Uduma, a former Police Inspector, for gross misconduct and criminal complicity in a case involving the alleged attempted rape of a 17-year-old female suspect by Sergeant Abraham Ozuobo.
The incident occurred on October 7, 2024, in Edo State, where Sgt. Ozuobo allegedly removed the teenager from her cell and attempted to assault her in an unoccupied office.
A video of the incident, which went viral a week later, prompted an investigation by the Edo State Police Command.
Findings revealed that Odama, the Charge Room Officer on duty, witnessed the act and recorded it but failed to document the incident or report it to her superiors.
Instead, she and her husband, Ibrahim Mohammed, also a police officer, conspired to extort N1 million from Sgt. Ozaobo in exchange for suppressing the evidence.
After collecting an initial N45,000 from the sergeant, the couple made further demands, which were refused.
They subsequently reported the case to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and released the video online.
In response to these findings, the police dismissed Sgt. Ozuobo and Odama, while her husband was demoted to the rank of Corporal. Sgt. Ozuobo is currently in custody awaiting trial.
The Nigeria Police force condemned Uduma’s actions, emphasizing her failure to uphold professional standards and her active role in extortion and obstructing justice.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the force’s zero-tolerance stance toward misconduct, corruption, and any actions that undermine the integrity of the police or harm vulnerable individuals.
The police also addressed allegations made by Uduma following her dismissal, describing her claims as baseless attempts to tarnish the institution’s reputation.
Officials stated that the dismissal was based on “irrefutable evidence” and underscored the force’s commitment to accountability and justice.
This case has sparked renewed calls for vigilance and reform to ensure ethical conduct within the Nigeria Police Force.
