The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations by the International Press Institute (IPI) attempting to connect Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun to the controversial arrest of a journalist.
Force spokesman CSP Benjamin Hundeyin stated Thursday that linking the IGP to the incident is “unfounded, misleading, and unsupported by facts.”
“The IGP never authorized, directed, or condoned the arrest, harassment, or intimidation of any journalist,” Hundeyin declared.
According to the Force, when IPI President Musikilu Mojeed reported the incident through official channels, the IGP immediately ordered the journalist’s release and launched an investigation through the Force Monitoring Unit. Officers found responsible were to face disciplinary action under existing regulations.
“These actions were taken promptly and transparently, with IPI properly informed,” Hundeyin said, calling suggestions of institutional hostility toward press freedom “incorrect and disingenuous.”
The Police emphasized that misconduct by individual officers should not be attributed to Force leadership, noting the organization employs over 300,000 personnel nationwide. While most serve professionally, isolated misconduct cases are investigated and addressed through due process, not ignored.
However, the Force revealed that IPI declined multiple invitations to appear before the Monitoring Unit to formalize its statements—a necessary procedural step for completing investigations and implementing disciplinary measures.
“It is contradictory to obstruct investigative processes while simultaneously alleging inaction,” the statement noted.
The Police questioned IPI’s decision to suspend engagement over a single incident despite immediate corrective action and ongoing investigation, calling the response’s “objectivity and proportionality” into doubt.
“The Nigeria Police Force will not accept narratives that seek to undermine its leadership or institutional credibility through unsubstantiated allegations,” Hundeyin asserted, adding that while the Force enforces internal discipline and upholds the rule of law, it will resist attempts to unfairly damage its leadership’s integrity.
The statement reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to constitutional policing, media freedom, and professional accountability, while emphasizing that no organization can substitute public sentiment for due process or declare guilt during ongoing investigations.
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