…As IGP Cautions Public Against Spread of Falsehood in Nigeria
The present practice of reposting outdated recordings online in an attempt to discredit the Force and jeopardise national security has drawn criticism from the Nigeria Police.
According to a press release signed by the Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF has at various times cautioned against this mischief aimed at portraying the NPF in a bad light. The NPF is currently working hard to build trust and confidence among the people, but this trend of reposting old videos portraying the present NPF negatively and spreading falsehoods against the NPF has serious implications for internal security.
“The extant cases at hand are a video of a Police Mobile Force (PMF) officer lamenting the alleged deplorable conditions faced by officers deployed to Yobe State on operational duty. The Force wishes to state unequivocally that this video originally surfaced several years back. The issues raised in the video were not taken lightly. Administrative steps were taken, and the concerns were addressed. The recirculation of this video at this time is a deliberate attempt to bring the institution into disrepute and create panic in the minds of average Nigerians.
“Secondly, an old, resurfaced video in which an officer attached to the Counter Terrorism Unit of the Force allegedly claimed that banditry is politically motivated and the government is playing with their lives, sending them to the war front without ammunition and preventing the Counter Force from effectively combating bandits in these disturbed areas. The matter was then investigated, and those allegations were found to be untrue. Upon conclusion of the investigation, disciplinary actions were meted out against the erring officers for raising a false alarm. The NPF categorically refutes and distances itself from the content of this video, as it does not conform to the realities in the present Police Force, Adejobi said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has strongly cautioned members of the public to be wary of the deliberate spread of falsehood to create tension amongst citizens and ridicule the Police institution. He further warns mischief-makers to desist from such acts, as they undermine public confidence in our national security institutions.
“It is pertinent to state that the Police leadership are taking steps aimed towards improving the welfare of officers and operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force, contrary to the false narrative contained in the old videos being recirculated by mischief makers
“The IGP assures the general Public of the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership to proactively combating all forms of crime and criminality across the country and urges members of the public to refrain from spreading falsehoods that may undermine the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force, the statement concluded.
