The Nigeria Police Force has said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has no business meddling with land cases or other civil matters.
According to a statement issued on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also refuted the allegations made against Egbetokun in connection with a land dispute involving one Bilikisu Aliyu and the Yesufu family.
Reacting to a media report alleging that the IG refused to investigate a land dispute case, Adejobi urged Nigerians to desist from dragging the police boss into cases that are not under his purview.
The Force PRO said claims made in the report were baseless and unfounded, stressing that the police only intervene in disputes when there are clear criminal elements involved.
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The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force has noted with amusement the recent allegations made against the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, in connection with a land dispute involving one Ms. Bilikisu Ishaqu Aliyu and the Yesufu family.
“We find it necessary to address these unfounded claims and provide clarity on the matter, more so that the claims painted the police as an irresponsible, meddlesome, and lawless agency.
“It will be recalled that the AIT, in their publication of 10th July 2024, titled ‘Yesufu Family Seeks Justice As Police Authorities Fail to Investigate Bilikisu Ishaqu’, distorted the facts in the case in question and thus misled the public.’
First and foremost, it is important to emphasize that the IGP shouldn’t be dragged into civil matters such as this land dispute. The NPF’s role is primarily to maintain law and order and ensure public safety. The police only intervene in disputes when there are clear criminal elements involved.”
Adejobi also dismissed the claim that the police are at loggerheads with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying that the force has a good relationship with the antigraft agency.
He also urged the public to disregard the claims in the media report and continue to seek intervention from the police on issues capable of causing crisis and violence.
(PUNCH)