Group Commends Police 2025 Achievements, Condemns Smear Campaigns Against IGP Egbetokun

A civil society organisation, Advocates for Good Governance, has commended the Nigeria Police Force for what it described as notable achievements recorded in 2025, while condemning what it called sustained smear campaigns and alleged attempts to force the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, out of office.

The group said the police, under Egbetokun’s leadership, recorded visible progress in professionalism, discipline, and internal reforms over the past year, despite persistent attacks aimed at discrediting the Force and its leadership.

In a statement issued on Sunday jointly signed by Abe Emmanuel kolawole, Publicity secretary and Ibrahim Ahmed, President General, the organisation warned that recent media attacks and online campaigns against the IGP were part of a calculated effort by disgruntled elements to derail ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.

“These coordinated smear campaigns and desperate attempts to get the IGP out of office are unacceptable and dangerous to national security,” the statement said. “They are being driven by individuals who lost out under the new reform-oriented leadership and are now bent on destabilising the Force.”

According to the group, Egbetokun’s strict enforcement of rules on retirement age, years of service, promotions, and postings has blocked entrenched interests that previously thrived on impunity, triggering backlash against his leadership.

The group quoted Danjuma Lamido as saying that recent activities appeared to be sponsored efforts to blackmail an indefatigable IGP rather than to strengthen press freedom through constructive engagement.

“It is difficult to ignore the pattern. Despite dialogue, reforms, and open-door policies, the posture of some groups increasingly mirrors that of misguided elements intent on forcing the IGP out of office. If that is the agenda, it should be stated openly, not cloaked in sanctimonious press statements,” Lamido said.

Commending the police for their 2025 performance, the group cited improved internal accountability, firmer discipline among officers, and a renewed focus on professionalism as major achievements under the current IGP.

It called on Nigerians to rally behind the Nigeria Police Force and support ongoing reforms, stressing that weakening the leadership through smear campaigns would only embolden criminal elements.

“We urge the public to support the police and reject all attempts to undermine the IGP. The focus should be on strengthening the Force, not tearing it down for selfish reasons,” the group added.

The organisation also appealed to the media to uphold ethical standards and avoid being used as platforms for unverified allegations, noting that sustained attacks on police leadership could erode public trust in security institutions.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting police reforms and urged all stakeholders to prioritise national interest over personal or political agendas.