A security analyst has disclosed that the persistent media attacks directed at former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, particularly by the online platform Sahara Reporters, were largely driven by entrenched interests opposed to reforms he introduced to sanitise the Nigeria Police Force.
The analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the criticisms and sustained negative reports during Egbetokun’s tenure were linked to resistance from individuals and groups uncomfortable with the institutional reforms aimed at restoring discipline, transparency and accountability within the Force.
According to the security expert, the former police chief moved swiftly to halt the practice and ordered investigations that exposed several officers involved in the scheme.
The analyst explained that those implicated were subsequently reported to the Police Service Commission for disciplinary action, which eventually led to their removal from the system.
The security expert further disclosed that another major controversy during the period involved a group of cadet force entrants who attempted to remain in service beyond their statutory years by relying on a judgement of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
However, according to the analyst, subsequent investigations revealed that the court ruling was influenced by a signal purportedly issued from the Office of the Force Secretary and transmitted through the Sokoto State Police Command.
The analyst said further scrutiny later revealed that the signal was fabricated.
“Our findings confirmed that no such signal originated from the Office of the Force Secretary. Even the version said to have been relayed through the Sokoto Command and tendered in court by the group was also discovered to be fabricated,” the security expert stated.
According to the analyst, the findings of the investigation were also forwarded to the Police Service Commission, which subsequently took disciplinary action against the officers involved.
The security expert noted that enforcing internal discipline within the police hierarchy was a central aspect of Egbetokun’s leadership approach.
The analyst further alleged that some wealthy individuals affected by the disciplinary measures allegedly sponsored media campaigns aimed at discrediting the former police chief, leading to several misleading reports and allegations circulated during the period.
“It was essentially a situation of corruption fighting back,” the analyst said.
The expert also claimed that another group opposed to amendments to the Nigeria Police Act — which allowed Egbetokun to remain in office for a four-year tenure — joined the campaign against him.
According to the analyst, the group allegedly included some senior officers who believed they could have become Inspector-General of Police if his tenure had been cut short.
The security expert further alleged that elements linked to the Take It Back Movement also sustained negative narratives against the former police chief and the police institution.
The analyst claimed the movement, associated with organisers of the End Bad Governance protests, allegedly sought to mobilise mass demonstrations across the country.
“They even suggested that the #EndSARS protest would be insignificant compared to their planned mobilisation and referenced the 2024 mass protests in Kenya,” the security expert said.
According to the analyst, the police leadership at the time maintained that its actions during the demonstrations were within the bounds of the law and aimed at preventing violence while safeguarding national stability.
Despite the controversies and sustained criticism during the period, the analyst said the former IGP remained focused on implementing reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism, discipline and institutional integrity within the Nigeria Police Force.
Source: SwiftReporters
