The Integrity Youth Alliance has faulted recent calls by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to withdraw the criminal defamation charges against African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Kelvin Adegbenga, the group described the calls as “misplaced, biased, and detrimental to the sanctity of justice,” insisting that Sowore must be held accountable for what it termed “persistent defamation” of President Tinubu’s character.

According to the group, Sowore’s actions have “gone far beyond constructive criticism” and now amount to “deliberate falsehood and incitement.” It rejected claims by SERAP and Amnesty that the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies were weaponising the justice system to silence dissent.

“Sowore’s posts on social media are not criticism by any democratic standard; they are defamatory, malicious, and inflammatory,” the statement read, adding that his “Revolution Now” campaign was not peaceful dissent but “a dangerous call for insurrection.”

The Alliance maintained that the ongoing lawsuits against Sowore were “necessary and proportionate” under Nigeria’s constitution and international obligations, stressing that freedom of expression does not permit “reckless defamation or the spread of inciting falsehoods.”

It further urged SERAP and Amnesty International to “caution Mr Sowore” rather than “lend credibility to his baseless utterances,” warning that continued support for him would undermine the credibility of the organisations.

“The Integrity Youth Alliance stands firmly on the side of truth, justice, and responsible civic engagement,” Adegbenga stated. “While we will always defend freedom of speech, we equally insist that such freedoms carry corresponding responsibilities, and no individual, no matter how prominent, is above the law.”

The Delta State Police Command has recorded a breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, alongside the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a victim’s vehicle, the suspects’ operational car, and a network jammer.

According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, on 12th September 2025, operatives led by the DPO of Ekpan Division, CSP Labe Joseph, acting on intelligence, apprehended two suspects—36-year-old Elvis Ebroghro and 34-year-old Abiola Adegore—both residents of Ometan. Investigations revealed that on 11th September, the duo had attempted to steal a vehicle battery and threatened a community guard, Abdullahi Mohammed, who challenged them. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of another suspect, Lucky Ebroghro, and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle hidden inside an isolated building in Ometan Community.

In a separate operation, on 8th September 2025, at about 1:30 a.m., police received a distress call over the abduction of a young man in Ogwashi-Uku. The victim, who was shot in the leg despite his family paying a ₦2 million ransom, was later rescued by operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Squad led by CSP Godwin Osadolor.

Two suspects, identified as 25-year-old Chukwuebuka Nka from Aniri LGA, Enugu State, and Uche Okechukwu from Orlu LGA, Imo State, were arrested in Ndemili North LGA, Anambra State, with the victim’s Toyota Venza SUV recovered from them. Further investigations led to the arrest of 18-year-old Somto Chukwuma of Ihiala LGA, Anambra State, and the recovery of the gang’s operational Toyota Matrix vehicle (registration number RRT-331-AE) as well as a network jammer device.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, commended the operatives for their professionalism and resilience, warning that there would be no safe haven for criminals in the state. He assured residents of the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace across communities.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has declared open an Executive Capacity Building Workshop for top leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, aimed at strengthening the institution’s ability to confront evolving security challenges in the country.

The workshop, held on Monday, 22 September 2025, at the Police Resource Centre, Abuja, was organised in partnership with the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, IGP Egbetokun emphasised the need to build leadership that is “faster, sharper, and more innovative” to address Nigeria’s rapidly evolving and complex security environment. “Conflicts no longer wait. Neither can we,” he said, stressing the need for foresight, creativity, and agility in policing.

He commended SPSP for its foresight in bridging scholarship and policing practice, praising the contributions of its founder, Professor Isaac Olawale Albert, whom he described as the “Father of Peace,” as well as Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and the current President, Mr. Nathaniel Msen Awuapila, for their leadership roles in advancing peace studies and practice in Nigeria.

The one-day workshop, themed “Managing Fast-Paced Security Challenges in a Protracted Conflict Environment,” will focus on key areas including conflict analysis, conflict-sensitive decision-making, strengthening early warning and early response systems, and linking conflict analysis to policy development.

According to the police chief, the sessions are designed to equip commanders with practical tools for effective leadership, crisis management, and confidence-building within the force. He emphasised that the goal of the workshop was not just individual learning but a “collective transformation” of the police into an institution that is agile, bold, and united in vision.

“The lessons gained here must echo in our policies, reflect in our operations, and be felt in the daily lives of Nigerians who look to us for safety,” IGP Egbetokun charged participants, urging them to translate insights from the training into actionable strategies.

He declared the workshop open with a call on police leaders to embrace the opportunity as a means to renew their vision, sharpen their instincts, and reaffirm their oath to serve with courage, honour, and distinction.

Nathaniel Awuapila, President of the SPSP, described the capacity building of senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as critical to reshaping the country’s security architecture and fostering peace, justice, and national cohesion.

Awuapila said the programme is more than a routine training, stressing that it represents “a transformative journey aimed at repositioning the NPF as a proactive, intelligence-driven institution.”

The workshop, which was organised pro bono by SPSP, aligns with the policing vision of the IGP, particularly in areas of proactive crime prevention, adherence to legal frameworks, use of technology in intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, it also dovetails with Nigeria’s National Security Strategy, the Police Reform Agenda, and global peacebuilding frameworks.

“This initiative is a deliberate investment in the ethical, analytical, and visionary leadership required to navigate Nigeria’s evolving security landscape,” Awuapila said.

He added that the training would combine expert presentations, case studies, and collaborative dialogue to equip commanders with the foresight and integrity needed to lead effectively.

He also emphasised that the partnership between SPSP and the Police Force reflects profound respect for the NPF’s role as the lead agency for internal security.

Awuapila hailed the IGP’s support for the collaboration, noting that less than a year after both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), SPSP has trained officers across various cadres, starting with Chief Superintendents of Police, and now extending to senior leadership.

“In this period, about one hundred officers have joined SPSP and been formally inducted as members.

“Today’s pro bono training is our way of reaffirming the confidence you have placed in us and our commitment to strengthening the internal security architecture of our great nation”, Awuapila disclosed.

The SPSP president also acknowledged the support of key figures in the society, including its founder, Isaac Albert, described as the “Father of Peace,” and Suleiman Bogoro, Chairman of its Board of Trustees, whose leadership he said has provided stability and direction.

Awuapila urged the officers to approach the workshop with open minds and a determination to become transformational leaders capable of confronting Nigeria’s complex and fast-evolving security threats.

“Effective policing is not solely about enforcement; it is about foresight, collaboration, and the courage to lead with purpose.

“Let us challenge assumptions, share insights, and emerge not merely as administrators, but as transformational leaders”, he said.

He expressed hope that the engagement would mark the beginning of a new chapter of excellence, innovation, and unity in Nigeria’s collective pursuit of peace and security.

The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that the country home of Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Frank Mba in Ezimo, Udenu Local Government Area, was attacked, with attempts made to kidnap his parents and relatives.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the Command clarified that no such incident occurred. Instead, on September 18, 2025, at about 8 p.m., police operatives on routine patrol in the Ezimo community responded to a distress call and foiled an armed robbery attack.

During the confrontation, a police officer sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by the attending doctor.

One male suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently assisting the police in ongoing investigations, while efforts are underway to track down the fleeing assailants.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, commended the operatives for their swift response and urged them to intensify efforts in the manhunt. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crimes and ensuring the safety of residents in Enugu State.

The Integrity Youth Alliance has condemned the deadly attack on Police Tactical Teams by suspected armed herdsmen and local militias at Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, resulted in the death of three police officers, while seven others remain missing.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Danjuma Lamido, the group described the attack as “cruel, unwarranted, and an affront on the good people of Benue State who yearn for peace, stability, and security.”

The Alliance commended the Nigeria Police Force for its swift response, which has led to the arrest of six suspects linked to the attack. It also lauded the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Egbetokun for deploying additional tactical assets to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and the missing officers rescued.

According to the group, the IGP’s assurance that no stone will be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue and across the country has given citizens renewed confidence in the fight against criminality.

The Integrity Youth Alliance further called on the public to support the police by providing information that could aid in rescuing the missing officers and dismantling criminal networks responsible for such attacks.

The statement also expressed solidarity with the families of the slain officers, the Nigeria Police Force, and the people of Benue State.