The Nigeria Police Force has denied as untrue a widely circulated news report that claimed Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, had given orders for people to physically attack and stone police officers who asked to inspect their phones during stop-and-search procedures.
According to the police, the accusation is unfounded and a conscious attempt to disseminate false information, according to a statement issued by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer.
The statement made it clear that there has been no directive from the IGP that calls for violence against law enforcement.
“The Nigeria Police Force would like to respond to a widely circulated false report that has surfaced, which asserts that Inspector-General of Police IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has given citizens orders to physically attack and stone police officers who ask to search their phones,” the statement read.
“This assertion is wholly untrue and unsupported by facts. There is no such command from the IGP that promotes violence against law enforcement. He has urged the public to report police misbehaviour through the proper channels instead. This strategy, as opposed to using violence, emphasises the value of accountability and upholding the rule of law.
“Whenever necessary, members of the public are encouraged to file complaints using the following police helplines and contacts: +2347056792065, +2349133333785, +2349133333786, #PoliceNG on X, #ngpolice on Facebook, and #nigeriapoliceforce on Instagram.”We can also be reached via mail at pressforabuja@police.gov.ng and via the police website at npf.gov.ng.”
The public was also urged by the Force to use reliable sources to confirm the news and to be on the lookout for false information.
“The public is urged to stay alert for false information and to confirm information from reliable sources. The Nigeria Police Force is still dedicated to building a relationship of trust and cooperation between the police and the communities they protect.”
