Police deny smuggling allegations against IGP

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The Nigeria Police Force has refuted recent media claims accusing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of shielding a smuggling cartel linked to suspicious new banknotes.

Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement on Wednesday described the allegations as unfounded and an attempt to damage the IGP’s reputation and the integrity of the force.

He said the controversy stems from an incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 26, 2023, involving officers from the Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja.

Adejobi added that investigations revealed that officers including DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode were involved in the illegal detention of Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited.

He added that Ejah had been transporting ₦74,950,000 on behalf of clients when he was arrested and subsequently detained by the officers without proper authorization.

Adejobi said the officers misrepresented the amount seized, reporting only ₦31,790,000 and demanding a percentage to suppress the investigation.

He noted that the illegal conduct was brought to light when the owners of the money filed a petition with the Force Headquarters.

According to him, further inquiries by the IGP Monitoring Unit revealed that the officers falsely claimed the total recovered amount, with forensic intelligence uncovering that they had stolen ₦43,160,000.

“The officers involved had attempted to cover their tracks by destroying evidence, including deleting photos taken during the arrest, but their actions were exposed. In response to their misconduct, the officers were suspended and are now facing disciplinary action.

“The NPF also emphasised that the attempt to smear IGP Egbetokun was a deliberate diversionary tactic orchestrated by the officers to deflect attention from their criminal actions. The NPF has vowed to prosecute the guilty officers once legal and administrative proceedings are concluded”, he said.

More so, he said the police have called on the public and media to refrain from spreading the false narrative, warning that such misinformation undermines public trust and hampers ongoing police reform efforts.