By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Oct. 16, 2026
PORT HARCOURT — The Rivers State Police Command has taken decisive administrative action following public outrage over a trending social media video showing suspected members of a cult group celebrating the completion of a renovation project at the Abuloma Police Outpost in Port Harcourt.
In a swift reaction to the controversy, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, ordered the immediate removal and querying of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Abuloma Division, alongside the Divisional Officer directly overseeing the affected outpost, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.
The development follows viral video footage circulated online on Thursday, October 15, 2026, which captured individuals believed to be associated with unlawful cult groups visiting the facility to mark the handover of the renovated structure.
The public display provoked widespread criticism from civil rights advocates and residents across Rivers State, who raised concerns over potential operational compromise and the perceived legitimization of criminal syndicates within law enforcement spaces.
Reacting through a formal statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, the Command strongly condemned any association or act capable of undermining the discipline, integrity, and operational independence of the Nigeria Police Force.
”The Command strongly condemns any action or association capable of compromising the integrity, discipline, and professional standards of the Nigeria Police Force or conferring legitimacy, recognition, or acceptance on suspected cult groups or other unlawful organisations,” the statement read. “Police facilities are public institutions established for the protection of citizens and the enforcement of law and must not become platforms through which criminal groups seek public validation or influence.”
The statement highlighted that under CP Adepoju’s leadership, the Command maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that erodes public trust or compromises security operations.
To establish the facts, the Commissioner of Police directed a thorough probe to determine the identities and backgrounds of all individuals or entities involved in financing or facilitating the project. The inquiry will also determine which police officers authorized the renovation, whether standard administrative procedures were followed, and if personnel breached professional codes of conduct.
Addressing public inquiries regarding community contributions to police infrastructure, the Command referenced Section 26(1)(d) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, which allows for voluntary contributions and gifts to the Police General Fund. However, the Command clarified that such partnerships must undergo rigorous background checks and official approvals to preserve institutional neutrality.
”The Command welcomes legitimate community support for improving police facilities… However, such support must not compromise police independence, professional standards, or security,” the PPRO stated, emphasizing that “no donation or assistance confers immunity from investigation or prosecution.”
The Command reassured residents of its commitment to maintaining transparency, protecting lives and property, and combating cultism and gang violence across Rivers State. Members of the public were encouraged to remain calm and report suspicious activities or police misconduct through dedicated Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines (07057605209, 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049) or the Police Control Room (08032003514).
Rivers State has historically faced challenges associated with rival cult activities, gang clashes, and organized criminality, particularly in urban and coastal communities around the Port Harcourt metropolis. Abuloma, an industrial and residential coastal community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, has at various times witnessed rivalry between prominent cult factions competing for territorial influence and local control.
In recent years, the Nigeria Police Force has encouraged community policing initiatives to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve working conditions across divisions and outposts, many of which suffer from underfunding and inadequate maintenance. Under the Nigeria Police Act 2020, local communities, corporate entities, and benevolent individuals are legally permitted to support law enforcement through transparent channels and recognized development associations.
However, the intersection of community support and unauthorized funding sources creates significant security risks.
Security analysts note that when criminal elements or secret cults fund civil or security infrastructure, it often represents an attempt to purchase local legitimacy, secure immunity from law enforcement action, or exert influence over police officers stationed in those communities.
The prompt intervention by CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju highlights ongoing efforts by the Rivers State Police Command to enforce internal accountability, prevent the infiltration of police stations by non-state actors, and maintain public confidence amidst broader security campaigns against cultism in the Niger Delta region.
