Ex-AIG, others react over Egbetokun police reforms

A retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Idris Dabban, and the Civic Alliance for Security Accountability have backed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.

Dabban, who spoke alongside the President of CASA, Charles Egbunike, in a statement on Friday, condemned what they termed a coordinated campaign of calumny against Egbetokun, urging Nigerians to disregard all unfounded attacks on his person and leadership.

The former AIG described Egbetokun, as “a truly professional, hardworking, humble, and forward-thinking officer whose leadership is shaping a more disciplined and professional Nigerian Police Force as he advises those who are attacking him for their myopic selfish reasons to desist from it.”

Dabban, who was a course mate of Egbetokun at the Police Academy and later served closely with him, insisted that the IG’s reforms were not only necessary but already yielding results.

“IGP Egbetokun is a very humble, selfless, courageous, and hardworking officer. He is someone who listens, interacts well with people, and genuinely cares about getting the job done.

“After we left the academy, we were both posted back to Lagos. We served in the same unit and even lived in the same barracks at Satellite Police Barracks. I can confidently say I know him very well.

“Egbetokun is always ahead, very proactive, never reactive. He doesn’t tolerate anything that goes against the ethics of the force. He is very forward-looking, passionate about the job, and holds himself and others to high standards. I can say Nigerians are lucky to have this kind of incorruptible cop as their IGP,” Dabban said.

He described the IG as a nationalist; non-tribalistic, and hardworking police officer who is concerned about the welfare of his officers.

On his part, Egbunike said the attacks on Egbetokun were part of an agenda to discredit not just the IG, but also President Bola Tinubu.

“These campaigns are not only malicious but deliberately designed to create instability. Those behind them are not just attacking the IG; they are using him as a tool to hit at the President. This is because of the IG’s long-standing association with the President, dating back to when he served as his Chief Security Officer during Tinubu’s tenure as the governor of Lagos State more than two decades ago,” Egbunike said.

He described the sponsors of the smear campaign as disgruntled elements who lost out in the IG’s reform of the police aimed at sanitising the system.

“These individuals prospered under a corrupt system and are now resentful because Egbetokun has put an end to that era of impunity and unprofessional conduct. They are using faceless online platforms and questionable media outlets to spread lies and cast doubt on the IGP’s credibility.

“Very soon, we will start revealing the people behind this campaign, including a retired senior police officer who is unhappy about the way he left office. We will also expose those paying for online attacks meant to weaken the police and, by extension, the government. This is not just an attack on one man; it is an attempt to undermine national security. We will not let that happen,” Egbunike said.

Speaking in a similar vein, the Secretary-General of CASA, Emamode Peters, commended Egbetokun for the positive changes he has brought to the force.

According to him, Egbetokun is not only a strong leader but also a highly educated officer who brings deep knowledge and discipline into policing.