NIGERIA: Police Dismiss Allegations Of IGP Shielding Smuggling Cartel

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force has strongly refuted allegations that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, is protecting a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The statement, issued by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, via Facebook on Wednesday, condemned the claims as baseless and malicious attempts to tarnish the IGP’s reputation.

According to the release, the allegations stem from an incident on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where four officers attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode—were found guilty of misconduct.

Acting unlawfully, the officers detained a cargo company employee, Andrew Ejah, who was transporting ₦74,950,000 for clients. The officers falsely reported recovering only ₦31,790,000 and attempted to extort a percentage of the money to suppress the case.

The statement detailed that the officers conspired to steal ₦43,160,000, tampered with evidence, and employed various tactics to cover their tracks, including the fabrication of misinformation aimed at implicating the IGP. Forensic investigations exposed the officers’ misconduct, leading to their suspension and impending prosecution.

The Force emphasized that the allegations against the IGP are part of a sponsored campaign to divert attention from the criminal acts of the officers involved.

ACP Adejobi assured the public of the IGP’s commitment to eradicating unprofessional elements within the Police Force and urged restraint from circulating unfounded claims that undermine ongoing reforms.