NEWS
The IGP, Media Malice and National Security
By Umar Bako
In recent times – and more particularly following the issue of the emplacement of a fixed tenure of office, which is being responded to from different perspectives – the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, seems to be caught up in the eye of a media storm – or at least the caustic reactions of a section of it.
This appears greatly inclined to constantly pillory or trolling him, in what might seem an effort to extract a pound of flesh for real or perceived injustices from the security sector honcho.No doubt, there have been the age-long and routine concerns around the arbitrary arrests and detention of youths, instances of human rights violations in the handling of protesters, with examples made of some of those involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests, the prosecution of minors, etc.
For much of the foregoing, the police authorities have equally sought to ban the arbitrary arrests and detention of youths, as well as show more sensitivity to human rights concerns, among other similar measures.Yet, when what seems like the more concerted attacks – with a highly visible media rendition – on the person of the IGP – beyond the wider police establishment that he leads – is considered carefully, it all appears basically as much ado about nothing. These are layers of vigorous responses, coming from the rank of those who are apparently unhappy with the fact that Egbetokun has been granted the sort of lease that many of his predecessors were not availed with (that is also said would slow down the ascension of other senior officers to the commanding height), which is to serve out a full four-year term of office, as now provided for and authorised by Section 18(8A) of the Nigeria Police Act, as amended.
This appears to be what is driving the rigorous antagonism to, if not open confrontation of, the IGP, in ways that do not bode well for national security. This is because agents of destabilisation can seize on this distraction to perpetrate nefarious activities that could compromise our collective safety.
A prominent section of the media – and specifically an online platform – seems to readily offer itself as a purveyor of all sorts of content that are antagonistic of the IGP, thereby ultimately seeking to create public disaffection for him, even when embedded in these are elements of a fair cause. In one prominent instance, there is the case of six very senior police officers who were found to have falsified their ages in order to remain longer in service, whilst also circumventing the service regulations. The IGP had thus sought to subject them to disciplinary action.
However, these officers, who were close to retirement from the force, had also been threatening havoc if the IGP did not retire with them, as they claimed that they are all subject to the same rule under Section 18 of the Police Act. Conscious of the fact that he is a political appointee who that rule is not applicable to, the IGP is said to have initially sought a disciplinary committee to consider the matter of these errant officers, who were to then proceed on retirement, before what seemed to have been a counter-directive came from the Presidency to put the retirement on hold.
The said online platform has readily lent itself to vigorously disseminating all forms of information that would put the IGP and his office in a negative light, particularly due to the antagonism of its primary promoter to the IGP.
The online medium had equally claimed that a “mutiny” was brewing in the Police Force, with the protests of over 200 officers, who despite being found to have falsified their ages, were refusing to retire from service, even though some of them have spent close to four decades in service. Prominent among these officers is said to be a Deputy Inspector General, who is in charge of a crucial department within the Force.
Hence, a controversy was created out of what should have been a straightforward directive of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to the IGP to retire officers who have spent either 35 years in service or had attained the age of 60, by also questioning the morality of this directive being carried out by an IGP who is said should also have retired, when the rules on his tenure as an appointee of the president yet makes his own position in service very clear.
There is equally the case of a lawyer, Tolu Babaleye, who wrote to the President in September 2024, querying the legal status of the IGP, who he described as having become “statutorily a civilian” but was still presenting himself as a police officer. This was also given prominence by the said online platform.
In the letter by the lawyer, he claimed that “…I am surprised that the said Retired Inspector General of Police who by all indications is now a civilian is still parading himself as the No. 1 Police Officer in Nigeria and still going about as the IGP with full paraphernalia of office as if he is not aware that he is now a civilian based on law.”
And in what could be considered as some form of mischief, the lawyer actually concedes to awareness of the legal framework on which the position of the IGP hinges, as he noted in his letter that, “I have also observed that there seems to be a constitutional conundrum brooding from this situation at hand with the contradictory provisions of Police Act 2020 in S.7 (6) and S. 18 (8)”.
However, could there be said to be a “conundrum” if the legal provisions cited are not wilfully misread, with the latter section 18 being a general provision referring to all police officers, while Section 7 is very clear about the tenure of the IGP as a political appointee of the President?
It is a bit disturbing that a lawyer who makes all the affectation of being informed by quoting the relevant provisions of the law would not be aware of the amendment to section 18, through the addition of subsection 8A by the National Assembly, which clarifies any ambiguity that might have existed between Sections 7 and 18 of the Police Act.
It could be said that the attempt to ridicule the IGP through this public missive to the president was further deepened by the online platform, which went ahead in that story to give vent to allegations that might be spurious. It claimed, without any shred of evidence, that some senior police official sources had given information that the IGP had bribed his way through the National Assembly to secure his tenure elongation, after the amendment bill initially sent by the Presidency in this regard had stalled. Hence, Egbetokun is said to have manipulated the system to get what he wanted.
Without evidence, this is a deeply concerning allegation that can impugn the reputation of the IGP as a desperate careerist, who has engaged in an illicit act contrary to the requirement of his office. Yet, the Police PRO, Muyiwa Adejobi, had pointed out that the said amendment to the Police Act on the tenure of the IGP has a history of its own, going back to the eighth National Assembly when it was first broached, before it finally succeeded in the tenth National Assembly.
An interesting dimension to the media maelstrom the Inspector General of Police is embroiled in pertains to his social media description as an “Illegal IGP Kayode Egbetokun” by politician and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, which the IGP apparently took serious exceptions to by seeking recourse to self-defence through the institution of a lawsuit against Sowore on charges involving cybercrime and cyberstalking.
In response, SaharaReporters has been an advocate in the case of its founder through which there have been the counter charge of a violation of the Nigeria Police Act, which forbids any police officer to initiate legal proceedings in their own personal interest or in defence of their public duties without the approval of the government.
Without the prejudice of commenting on any issue that is sub judice and before the consideration of the courts, it appears to me that much of the issues that are driving the media campaigns against the IGP are actually much ado about nothing. Beyond the flaring of egos and the urge to shove fingers into one another’s eyes to register the severity of each’s angst with the other, a simple clear-eyed appeal to provisions of the law on the tenure of the IGP, as provided by Section 18 (8a) of the Nigeria Police Act, as amended would dispel the need for all these venting.
The foregoing would render the issues clear enough and those who have issues with the IGP should, rather than inflame the polity with their rhetoric, while pressing the media into serving their ends and becoming catalysts of destabilisation, save their passions for other more worthy purposes. The tenure of the IGP is only for four years and 2027 is just around the corner. Even then, this would not be a rite of entitlement, as each administration statutorily reserves the right to choose its own heroes and villains alike.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In collaboration with international partners, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of Tap Tramadol 250mg through the Murtala Muhammed Area Command (MMAC).
The intercepted shipment was formally handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday, 11 June 2026, for further investigation and action.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller of Customs, Godwin Otunla, noted that the operation reflects the NCS’s sustained efforts to combat the trafficking of controlled substances that pose serious threats to public health and national security.
He commended the officers of the Special WILD Office of the NCS Intelligence Unit for their professionalism and timely intelligence, which played a critical role in the successful interception. He also praised the dedication and teamwork of officers and men involved in the operation.
The CAC further acknowledged the technical support and cooperation received from the United Arab Emirates’ Customs. “Their assistance was instrumental in identifying and intercepting this illegal shipment, further demonstrating the importance of international collaboration in the fight against transnational crime,” he said.
The CAC further reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven operations in the collective interest of national security.
By David Torough, Abuja
Actor and social commentator Ugezu J. Ugezu, was detained by the Nigeria Police Force following an investigation into an allegedly defamatory social media publication in which he claimed that international businessman and philanthropist Prince (Hon) Daniel Kanu had been arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned in the early 2000s.
The investigation was triggered by a petition filed by Kanu on March 23, 2026, alleging that the Facebook publication contained false and malicious claims intended to damage his reputation.
The petition accused Ugezu of criminal defamation, cyberbullying and cyberstalking, prompting investigators at the Nigerian Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) in Abuja to invite the actor for questioning.
According to our sources, Ugezu honored an invitation from investigators at the NCCC in Abuja on June 3, 2026, where he was questioned over the source of the claims contained in his Facebook post.
During the interrogation, Ugezu allegedly told investigators that the information had been obtained from the internet. However, he was reportedly unable to provide any credible or verifiable source to substantiate the claims when pressed by investigators. He also reportedly stated his intention to apologize to Kanu for the false publication once he was released from police detention, adding that his objective in publishing the post was to advise young people to make responsible life choices.
Police subsequently detained Ugezu after questioning him.
According to accounts from a source that preferred anonymity, the actor was later granted administrative bail, but had to be transferred to the detention facility of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) after he failed to satisfy the conditions attached to his bail.
Sources close to the matter said that although Ugezu admitted authoring the false publication and later issued an apology following his detention, the statement stopped short of a clear retraction of the allegations or an unequivocal acknowledgment that the publication was false as he had previously admitted during police interrogation.
They maintained that the apology did not sufficiently repair the damage allegedly caused to Kanu’s reputation.As a result, Ugezu has been invited to report to the police in two weeks for further interrogation.
Those familiar with the matter said the action is intended not only to clear Kanu’s name but also to reinforce accountability for the publication of unverified allegations on digital platforms.
In an earlier statement responding to the controversy, Kanu categorically denied ever being arrested, charged, tried or imprisoned in Nigeria or any other jurisdiction. He described the claims circulated on social media as “patently false, malicious and defamatory” and insisted they were part of a deliberate attempt to destroy his reputation.
He also emphasized his record as an entrepreneur and philanthropist with investments and youth empowerment initiatives across Nigeria.
At the time of this report, neither Ugezu nor his representatives could be reached for comments on the investigation.
The dispute adds to growing concerns over the spread of unverified information on Nigeria’s social media space.The investigation remains ongoing.
Our source says the police have assured Prince Kanu that complaints of cyberbullying and related offences are taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.
They further stated that the outcome of the probe will determine whether additional legal or administrative steps will be taken in connection with Ugezu’s publication.
African delegates attending seminars in China have condemned reported xenophobic attacks against foreign African nationals in South Africa and called for greater unity across the continent.
The delegates made the condemnation on the sidelines of training programmes organised by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) under China’s Ministry of Commerce.
They described the reported attacks as disturbing and contrary to the ideals of Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and peaceful coexistence.
Yusupha Bojang of The Gambia’s National Council for Civic Education said Africans must see themselves as one people irrespective of colonial-era boundaries.
“We first have to recognise that in Africa we are all one. These boundaries are artificial creations. We should treat each other as brothers and sisters,” he said.
Bojang said frustrations over domestic challenges should not be directed at fellow Africans lawfully residing in another country.
“If you have any problem, it should be channelled to your government, not innocent citizens legitimately carrying out their activities,” he said.
He urged Africans to speak with one voice against xenophobia.
“We need to unite. When we see wrongs happening, we should all come out to condemn them because it can happen to anybody,” he added.
Also speaking, Jallow Gibbi, a journalist with Dunia Radio in The Gambia, said he was saddened by reports of Africans attacking fellow Africans.
“When I watched the news, I was embarrassed to see Africans fighting Africans. It is not humanitarian and it should not happen,” he said.
Gibbi called on African leaders and international organisations to promote peace and unity across the continent.
“We are all the same. One Africa, one people. We should unite and stay together,” he said.
He said information from Gambian diplomatic authorities indicated that no Gambian citizen had been reported affected, while advising nationals to remain vigilant.
Mr Richard Jombi James of South Sudan’s Ministry of Culture, Museum and National Heritage described African unity as essential to the continent’s progress.
“We are all Africans from the north to the south, east and west. We cannot attack ourselves. We are one Africa, one people,” he said.
Kawu Muhammed Lawan of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy said the reports were particularly troubling given the support many African countries provided during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
“Looking at all the efforts other African countries made to end apartheid in South Africa, it is embarrassing to witness hostility against fellow Africans today,” he said.
Lawan urged African leaders to take practical steps to protect citizens across the continent and strengthen regional integration.
Similarly, Emmanuel Nok, a legal practitioner with South Sudan’s Ministry of Culture, Museum and National Heritage, said Africans should reject violence and discrimination against one another.
“We feel hurt as Africans when we see fellow Africans being hunted by other Africans. We should condemn such behaviour because it goes against the spirit of African brotherhood,” he said.
Nok noted that many African countries host citizens from neighbouring states and stressed that peaceful coexistence remained vital for economic development and regional cooperation.
The delegates called on governments, regional organisations and civil society groups to promote tolerance, strengthen social cohesion and uphold the principles of African unity.
They also urged Africans to focus on common development goals, saying stronger cooperation would advance peace, prosperity and integration across the continent.
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