The Centre for Advocacy for Peace and Justice, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has dismissed as false a recent report by Sahara Reporters alleging an impending mutiny within the Nigeria Police Force.
The online newspaper had claimed that tensions were rising among officers due to controversies surrounding the retirement age of some senior personnel. However, the NGO described the report as misleading and baseless, urging the public to disregard it.
According to the group, such false narratives only serve to create unnecessary panic and undermine the integrity of the security forces. It reaffirmed confidence in the leadership of the Nigeria Police and emphasized that there was no internal crisis capable of leading to a mutiny.
The Centre for Advocacy for Peace and Justice further urged media organizations to verify their reports before publication, stressing the importance of responsible journalism in promoting national stability.
Read Full Statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
False Allegations of Mutiny Within the Nigeria Police Force, the unending Campaign of Calumny by Sowore
The Centre for Advocacy for Peace and Justice (CAPJ) categorically condemns the recent publication by Sahara Reporters, which falsely claims that over 200 senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force have refused to retire after falsifying their birth records. This baseless and misleading report further alleges a brewing mutiny within the force and an internal rift between the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Deputy Inspector General of the Federal Investigation Department, Dasuki Galandanchi.
Our findings revealed, and we wish to unequivocally state that this publication is completely false, fabricated, and deliberately aimed at misleading the public. It is yet another desperate attempt by Sahara Reporters, under the ownership of Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a disgruntled politician and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, to tarnish the reputation of the Inspector General of Police and sow discord within the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.
It is a known fact, that the Nigeria Police Force is a professional institution governed by law and established service regulations. The claim that certain officers have been serving for up to 44 years is not only absurd but also betrays a lack of understanding of the statutory retirement processes within the force. The tenure and appointment of the Inspector General of Police are matters already settled by law through the Police Act. Anyone who is dissatisfied with the leadership of IGP Egbetokun should seek redress through the courts rather than resorting to falsehoods and incitement aimed at destabilizing the country.
The IGP, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, continues to enjoy the support and cooperation of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force. The suggestion of a mutiny is nothing more than a figment of Mr. Sowore’s imagination and a continuation of his campaign of calumny against the police leadership. It is unfortunate that certain individuals, under the guise of activism, have chosen to engage in a sustained effort to discredit law enforcement agencies at a time when collective support is needed to tackle the security challenges confronting our nation.
We urge Nigerians to disregard these malicious reports and continue supporting the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in their efforts to ensure law, order, and national stability.
Signed,
Prince Jude Ochiaga
Director of Information
Centre for Advocacy for Peace and Justice (CAPJ)