Media Attacks on Former IGP Egbetokun Linked to Police Reforms – Security Expert
A retired Commissioner of Police, Tajudeen Oladele, has alleged that the sustained media attacks against former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun were driven by individuals and groups affected by reforms he introduced to sanitise the Nigeria Police Force.
Oladele said the former police chief faced resistance from entrenched interests after initiating measures aimed at strengthening discipline and accountability within the Force.
Crackdown on falsified service records
According to the security expert, one of the first issues Egbetokun confronted after assuming office was the widespread falsification of service records by some police officers.
He alleged that before Egbetokun’s appointment, certain officers had manipulated their official records to extend their years of service beyond the statutory retirement limit.
Oladele said the former IGP halted the practice and ordered investigations which uncovered officers involved in the scheme.
“He didn’t just stop the practice; he identified the culprits and forwarded their names to the Police Service Commission for disciplinary action. They were eventually removed from the system,” he said.
Fake signal discovered in court case
The expert also referenced a dispute involving a group of cadet force entrants who sought to remain in service beyond their statutory period, relying on a judgment from the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
However, investigations later revealed that the court ruling had relied on a signal purportedly issued from the Office of the Force Secretary and relayed through the Sokoto State Command.
Oladele said the signal was eventually discovered to be fabricated.
“Our investigation confirmed that no such signal originated from the Office of the Force Secretary. Even the version said to have been relayed by the Sokoto Command and presented in court was fabricated,” he explained.
The findings were subsequently submitted to the Police Service Commission, which took disciplinary action against officers involved.
Alleged campaign to discredit Egbetokun
Oladele further claimed that some individuals affected by the disciplinary actions had funded media campaigns to undermine Egbetokun’s leadership, circulating what he described as misleading reports and allegations.
“It was clearly a case of corruption fighting back,” he said.
He also alleged that opposition to amendments to the Nigeria Police Act, which allowed the former IGP to remain in office for a four-year tenure, contributed to the criticism.
According to him, some senior officers who hoped to succeed him as Inspector-General were among those unhappy with the development.
Claims of political activism
Oladele additionally accused elements linked to the Take It Back Movement—associated with organisers of the End Bad Governance protests—of promoting negative narratives about the police.
He alleged that the group had attempted to organise mass demonstrations aimed at destabilising the country, though he maintained that the police acted lawfully to prevent violence.
Focus on reforms
Despite the controversies, Oladele said Egbetokun remained focused on strengthening policing reforms and improving internal discipline within the Force.
“We cannot effectively enforce the law if we fail to enforce discipline within our own ranks,” he said.
He added that the former police chief remained proud of the reforms introduced during his tenure, which he believes were aimed at advancing policing in Nigeria.
