Police Dismiss IPI’s Allegations, Insist on Due Process in Journalist’s Arrest Case
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rejected allegations linking the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to the alleged wrongful arrest of a journalist, describing the claims as unfounded, misleading and unsupported by facts.
The Force was reacting to a statement by the International Press Institute (IPI) announcing the suspension of its engagement with the police over the incident.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NPF clarified that at no time did the IGP authorise, direct or condone the arrest, harassment or intimidation of any journalist, stressing that attempts to associate the Force leadership with the alleged misconduct were inaccurate.
According to the police, upon formal notification of the incident by the President of IPI, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, through the Force Public Relations Officer, the IGP immediately ordered the release of the journalist and directed the Force Monitoring Unit to commence an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved.
The statement noted that the IGP also gave clear instructions that any officer found culpable would be disciplined in line with extant laws and internal procedures, adding that the actions were taken promptly and transparently, with the IPI duly informed.
The Force dismissed suggestions of institutional hostility to press freedom, emphasising that misconduct by individual officers should not be attributed to the leadership or portrayed as official policy of the Nigeria Police Force.
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“The Nigeria Police Force is a large organisation with over 300,000 personnel deployed nationwide. While the vast majority discharge their duties professionally, isolated cases of misconduct may occur. Such cases are neither shielded nor ignored, but investigated and addressed strictly in accordance with due process,” the statement said.
The police further disclosed that the petition submitted by the IPI was referred to the Force Monitoring Unit for investigation, but records indicated that the organisation declined repeated invitations to appear before the Unit to formally adopt and harmonise its statements, a procedural requirement necessary to conclude investigations and enforce disciplinary measures.
Describing the development as contradictory, the Force argued that it was inappropriate to allege inaction while obstructing investigative processes.
The NPF also questioned the objectivity of the IPI’s decision to suspend engagement with the Force over a single incident, despite what it described as immediate corrective action and an ongoing investigation.
Reaffirming its stance, the police said it would not accept narratives aimed at undermining its leadership or institutional credibility through unsubstantiated allegations, while reiterating its commitment to constitutional policing, media freedom and professional accountability.
The statement, signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, and dated December 24, 2025, stressed that while stakeholder engagement is important, no organisation has the authority to substitute public sentiment for due process or pronounce guilt while investigations are still ongoing.
By PRNigeria
