The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rejected allegations by the International Press Institute (IPI) linking the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to the alleged wrongful arrest of a journalist, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force said the IGP neither authorized nor condoned the arrest, harassment or intimidation of any journalist. It added that immediately the matter was formally brought to his attention by the President of IPI, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, the IGP ordered the release of the journalist and directed the Force Monitoring Unit to investigate the conduct of the officers involved.
According to the Police, clear instructions were given that any officer found culpable would be disciplined in line with existing laws and procedures, stressing that these steps were taken promptly and transparently, with IPI duly informed.
The NPF said it was incorrect to portray the incident as evidence of institutional hostility to press freedom or to suggest indifference by the Force leadership to media rights. It emphasized that misconduct by individual officers should not be attributed to the leadership or used to malign the institution.
The Police noted that while it has over 300,000 personnel nationwide and most officers perform their duties professionally, isolated cases of misconduct may occur. Such cases, it said, are investigated and addressed through due process and are not shielded or ignored.
The statement further disclosed that although IPI submitted a petition which was referred to the Force Monitoring Unit, the organisation allegedly declined repeated invitations to appear before the unit to formally adopt and harmonise its statements, a requirement for concluding investigations and enforcing disciplinary action.
Against this background, the Police questioned the decision by IPI to suspend engagement with the Force over what it described as a single incident, despite what it said were immediate corrective actions and an ongoing investigation.
The NPF reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional policing, media freedom and professional accountability, while insisting it would resist what it termed attempts to undermine its leadership and institutional credibility through unsubstantiated allegations.
The statement was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, and dated December 24, 2025, in Abuja.
