The Nigeria Police Force has rejected what it described as unfounded and misleading allegations linking the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to the alleged wrongful arrest of a journalist.
The Force was reacting to a statement issued by the International Press Institute (IPI) announcing the suspension of its engagement with the Nigeria Police over the incident.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police said the IGP neither authorised nor condoned the arrest, harassment or intimidation of any journalist, stressing that attempts to associate him with the incident were unsupported by facts.
According to the Police, upon being formally notified of the matter by the President of the IPI, Musikilu Mojeed, through the Force Public Relations Officer, the IGP immediately ordered the release of the journalist and directed the Force Monitoring Unit to investigate the conduct of the officers involved. The statement added that clear instructions were given that any officer found culpable would be sanctioned in line with existing laws and disciplinary procedures.
The Police noted that these steps were taken promptly and transparently, and that the IPI was duly informed of the actions taken.
The Force described as inaccurate claims suggesting institutional hostility to press freedom or indifference to media rights, stating that misconduct by individual officers should not be attributed to the leadership or portrayed as official policy.
It explained that the Nigeria Police Force, with over 300,000 personnel deployed nationwide, may occasionally record isolated cases of misconduct, but such incidents are neither shielded nor ignored, as they are addressed strictly in line with due process.
The statement further disclosed that the petition submitted by the IPI was referred to the Force Monitoring Unit for investigation. However, the Police said records showed that the IPI declined repeated invitations to appear before the Unit to formally adopt and harmonise its statements, a requirement necessary to conclude investigations and enforce disciplinary actions.
The Police said it was contradictory to obstruct investigative processes while simultaneously alleging inaction on the part of the Force.
Against this backdrop, the Force questioned the decision of the IPI to suspend engagement over what it described as a single incident, despite immediate corrective action and an ongoing investigation.
Reaffirming its stance, the Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to constitutional policing, media freedom and professional accountability, while insisting that due process must be followed in all cases.