A civil society organisation, Advocates for Good Governance, has praised the police for what it described as significant achievements recorded in 2025, while condemning alleged smear campaigns and moves aimed at forcing the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, out of office.
The group said the police, under Egbetokun’s leadership, recorded visible improvements in professionalism, discipline, and internal reforms, despite sustained attacks targeted at discrediting the police and its leadership.
In a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by its President General, Ibrahim Ahmed, and Publicity Secretary, Abe Kolawole, the organisation warned that recent media reports and online campaigns against the Egbetokun were part of a calculated effort by disgruntled interests to derail ongoing reforms in the police.
“These coordinated smear campaigns and desperate attempts to get the inspector general of police 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.”
It asserted that Egbetokun’s firm 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 organisation warned that recent attacks appeared more like sponsored attempts to blackmail Egbetokun, rather than genuine efforts to strengthen press freedom or accountability.
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Commending the police for their 2025 performance, the Advocates for Good Governance cited improved internal accountability, firmer discipline among officers and a renewed emphasis on professionalism as key milestones under Egbetokun.
The group urged Nigerians to rally behind the police and support the reform process, warning that weakening the leadership of the police through smear campaigns would only embolden criminal elements.
The organisation also appealed to the media to uphold ethical standards and avoid becoming channels for unverified allegations, cautioning that sustained attacks on police leadership could erode public confidence in the country’s security institutions.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting police reforms and urged all stakeholders to place national interest above personal or political agendas.
