By Adewole Kehinde
On 22nd June 2023, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun vowed to rid the police force of corruption, and abuse of power and take necessary action against any form of misconduct from personnel.
Egbetokun, who stated this at the official handing-over ceremony in Abuja noted that the need to tackle corruption and abuse of power within the system came on the heels of the prolonged public deep-rooted concerns and grievances against the police.
He said: “I acknowledge our citizen’s deep-rooted concerns and grievances against the police. It is no secret that the Nigeria police force has faced its fair share of criticism in the past. Instances of misconduct, corruption and abuse of power have eroded public trust.
“I am before you today to declare that such behaviour will not be tolerated under my watch, and there will be proactive steps to instil discipline across the ranks.
“Accountability will be the cornerstone of my tenure as Inspector General of Police. I am committed to fostering a culture of professionalism, integrity and respect within the police force.
“We prioritise new ways of recruiting, training and equipping our officers to ensure they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their duties effectively, efficiently and with excellence and this will be to the admiration of the people we serve.
“To regain the trust of the Nigerians, we will establish a robust internal system to investigate allegations of misconduct within the police force.
“We will hold accountable those who betrayed the public trust in us, ensuring that they face the full force of the law. Additionally, we will actively promote a working culture that will encourage officers and citizens alike to report instances of corruption or abuse they may witness.
“Our police force will be a beacon of integrity. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. Henceforth every police officer will be selected not only for their skills but also for their passion, compassion, empathy and commitment to public service.”
“We will embark on an ambitious and visible program of community policing. We will recognize that the true measure of our success lies in the safety and well-being of our communities. To achieve this, we will forge stronger ties between the police and the public.’’
Also, on 5th June 2024, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun said Nigeria must combat the pervasive culture of corruption, strengthen governance institutions, promote inclusion, and enhance regional cooperation to achieve sustainable peace and stability.
He spoke at the first distinguished personality lecture of the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Ibadan.
According to him, a significant factor contributing to the exacerbation of the crises facing Nigeria is the pervasive culture of corruption and impunity within Nigeria’s governance structures.
Egbetokun stated that political interference in police operations can compromise the impartiality and effectiveness of law enforcement during crises, adding that it is essential to ensure the independence of the police force from political influence to maintain public trust and confidence.
He disclosed that based on the approval of President Bola Tinubu, the force will soon start recruitment of 30,000 Police officers after ending the ongoing recruitment of 10,000 personnel into the force.
He said, “In contemporary times, the Nigeria Police Force has undertaken numerous initiatives to enhance its effectiveness in managing internal security challenges. These efforts include the creation of specialised units, improvements in training and equipment, and community engagement programs aimed at addressing various forms of crime and insecurity.”
Egbetokun stated further that he is investing in security technology, particularly drone technologies, which can improve the fight against terrorism and banditry.
He said this is materialising in the fight against cybercriminals, stating that the Nigeria police Cyber Crime Center “has continued to clamp down on cybercriminals with the recovery of over 36 billion naira and dismantled a major online fraud syndicate, arresting 15 suspects and recovering millions of naira in stolen funds”.
He called for increased funding of the police as the lead agency in internal operations to address equipment needs, improve infrastructure and enhance training programs
Egbetokun’s zero-tolerance policy for any act of corruption in Nigeria Police paid off when on 23rd February 2024, some officers from the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Special Tactical Squad in Abuja were apprehended for their alleged involvement in extorting a member of the public of a significant sum, amounting to Thirty Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N30,300,000).
The incident was brought to light after a report was received by the Force through the X Platform, prompting swift action from authorities.
In response to this egregious act, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the commencement of disciplinary proceedings.
This decision underscores the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within its ranks.
The IGP has reiterated the zero-tolerance stance of the Force towards any form of misconduct or corruption among its personnel, emphasizing the imperative of maintaining public trust and confidence.
The Nigeria Police Force says it remains steadfast in its commitment to professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
As guardians of public safety and the rule of law, the Nigeria police are deeply committed to ensuring that all officers adhere strictly to ethical conduct and demonstrate unwavering integrity in the execution of their duties.
There is no doubt that transparency and accountability are considered paramount values and the Force will continue to take decisive action against any misconduct to preserve public trust and uphold the rule of law under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun.
Also, on 18th October 2024, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun condemned the alleged cases of extortion and high-handedness being perpetrated by certain members of the Nigeria Police Force.
The IGP expressed dismay over the alleged misconduct while addressing Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police, and heads of various formations at the IGP’s Conference with Senior Police Officers held in Abuja
Egbetokun charged the senior officers with proper supervision of the activities of officers at their various levels and ensured the highest standard of professional conduct was maintained and upheld in the course of carrying out their lawful duties.
He also ordered the IGP X-Squad, Monitoring Unit, Complaint Response Unit (CRU) and other disciplinary Units to carry out routine checks on the activities of officers across the country as part of efforts to curb misconduct and corruption tendencies amongst officers, and ensure strict punishment is meted on erring officers; and that supervisory officers found wanting in this regard will not be spared of vicarious liability.”
Similarly, the IGP issued a stern warning to officers regarding the unethical practice of name-dropping the IGP and other senior officers to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.
Egbetokun emphasised that any officer found guilty of leveraging his name for fraudulent activities or extortion will face severe disciplinary measures, reaffirming that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, unprofessional behaviour, and misconduct.
He implored the public to exercise caution and report any attempts to exploit his name for fraudulent activities or extortion in an investigation of cases, highlighting the crucial role citizens play in the collaborative policing of the society and its police.
On the 8th of November 2024, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun condemned alleged extortions by some officers of the force in some areas within the country and ordered severe punishment for corrupt officers.
He referenced the case involving officers of the Zone 16 Zonal Headquarters, Yenegoa, identified as ASP Emmanuel Ubong, Inspector Nse Okon, Inspector Adiewere Collins, and Inspector Kuromare Marine.
The officers were accused of extorting the sum of ₦10m from a group of young Nigerians.
However, the police said the money had been recovered through the efforts of the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 16 while the personnel involved faced an orderly room trial.
IGP Egbetokun however reassured the general public that the force will continue to investigate all allegations levelled against erring officers of the Force thoroughly.
In pursuit of restorative justice, the Inspector-General of Police mandated severe consequences for any officer, no matter how highly ranked, found culpable, acting as a deterrent to those who may seek to compromise the integrity of the Force.
On 16th November 2024, Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, rejected a $100,000 (About N174m) bribe from a 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma, alleged to have been involved in various types of internet-related frauds, including romance scams, identity theft, cyber hacking, cryptocurrency fraud, ritualism, and cultism.
The suspect, Akpoguma, confessed to the crime while speaking with journalists at Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos. He explained that, in an attempt to have his name cleared, he began offering monetary bribes to the police. He offered the sum of $100,000 USD to the police.
IGP Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, deserves praise for the officers and men’s current favourable attitudes towards avoiding corruption.
My suggestion is that the Nigeria Police Force should recognise and provide suitable bonuses to police officers who stand out and go above and beyond in the fight against corruption.
Finally, I will urge police officers to keep working to improve the country’s security framework because Nigeria needs to be free of terror and insurgency.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 kennyadewole@gmail.com @kennyadewole
