A retired Commissioner of Police, Tajudeen Oladele, has said that sustained attacks against former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun were linked to reforms he introduced during his leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
Oladele stated that several entrenched interests resisted measures aimed at improving discipline and accountability within the police institution.
According to the security expert, one of the early challenges Egbetokun confronted after assuming office was the widespread falsification of service records within the Nigeria Police Force.
Oladele said the former police chief identified officers involved in the practice and forwarded their names to the Police Service Commission for disciplinary action.
He said the officers implicated in the falsification of records were subsequently removed from the system following the commission’s review of the case.
The security expert added that the enforcement of internal discipline distinguished Egbetokun’s leadership approach within the police institution.
According to him, “We cannot effectively enforce the law if we fail to enforce discipline within our own ranks.”
Oladele also referred to a dispute involving a group of cadet force entrants who attempted to remain in service beyond their statutory period by relying on a judgement from the National Industrial Court.
He said investigations later revealed that the court ruling was based on a signal that was claimed to have originated from the Office of the Force Secretary and transmitted through the Sokoto State Command.
According to him, further checks showed that the signal presented in court did not originate from the Office of the Force Secretary and was discovered to be fabricated.
He stated that the findings were submitted to the Police Service Commission, which took disciplinary action against the officers involved.
Oladele alleged that individuals affected by disciplinary actions organised campaigns aimed at discrediting the former police chief.
He said some wealthy individuals were believed to have sponsored media narratives and allegations against Egbetokun following the reforms introduced during his tenure.
The security expert also said opposition to amendments to the Nigeria Police Act that enabled the Inspector-General to serve a four-year tenure contributed to criticism directed at the former police chief.
According to him, some senior officers who hoped to become Inspector-General were also dissatisfied with the extension.
