The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has come forward to debunk a viral claim that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, allegedly encouraged Nigerians to attack officers during stop-and-search operations.
In a statement released on Monday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, categorically dismissed the allegations as pure fabrication. “The claim is entirely false and has no basis in reality,” Adejobi said, clarifying that Egbetokun never told citizens to throw stones or physically assault officers for conducting phone searches. Apparently, some people out there have a very active imagination.
Instead of endorsing violence, the IGP is said to have emphasized the importance of reporting police misconduct through official channels. How many Nigerians have the patience to follow through with these so-called “appropriate channels” when dealing with an institution notorious for its inefficiency and lack of accountability?
Adejobi urged the public to exercise caution against misinformation, advising citizens to verify claims through credible sources. That’s a fair point, but it’s also rich coming from a force that has a very weird track record when it comes to transparency. Nevertheless, the NPF insists it’s committed to fostering trust and cooperation between officers and the communities they serve.
The real issue here isn’t just the fake news. It’s the tension between the police and the citizens they are supposed to protect. Misinformation like this spreads because people are frustrated, angry, and fed up with how law enforcement operates in this country.
Sure, the NPF can deny the claims and preach about accountability all day long, but actions speak louder than press releases. Until Nigerians start seeing real reforms, better conduct from officers, and a functional complaint system, the trust they talk about will remain a vague dream.
