CASA condemns smear campaign against IGP Egbetokun, warns against undermining national security

The Civic Alliance for Security Accountability (CASA) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as a “coordinated campaign of calumny” against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

The organization has urged Nigerians to dismiss what it calls unfounded personal and professional attacks on the police chief, warning that the campaign is part of a broader plot to destabilize the nation’s leadership and security framework.

In a statement released on Friday, CASA President Charles Egbunike asserted that the sustained attacks on IGP Egbetokun are being orchestrated by disgruntled individuals threatened by the IGP’s ongoing reforms and zero-tolerance for corruption within the Nigeria Police Force.

“These attacks are not just directed at the IGP but are a veiled attempt to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” Egbunike said.

“IGP Egbetokun’s longstanding association with the President — dating back to his role as Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State — is the real target of these malicious efforts.”

According to Egbunike, the smear campaign is being driven by elements within and outside the police structure who have been negatively affected by recent institutional reforms, including the enforcement of statutory retirement age and service years as stipulated by law and the Police Service Commission.

He alleged that these individuals, in collaboration with compromised online media outlets, are funding a disinformation campaign aimed at damaging the IGP’s reputation.

“These actors thrived in an era of impunity and are now bitter because Egbetokun has ended that chapter. They are desperate, using faceless blogs and questionable media platforms to spread falsehoods,” he said. “But we will soon begin to name and shame those behind this plot, including a retired senior police officer unhappy with how he exited the Force. This is not just about one man — it is a direct assault on our national security and governance.”

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Joining the CASA president in defense of the IGP, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Idris Dauda Dabban, offered a deeply personal account of Egbetokun’s character and leadership style. A coursemate and long-time colleague of the IGP, Dabban praised his work ethic, discipline, and incorruptibility.

“IGP Egbetokun is a man of integrity, humility, and great foresight. I’ve known him since our days at the Police Academy, and we later served together in Lagos, even sharing the same barracks,” Dabban recalled. “He is always proactive, never reactive, and upholds the highest ethical standards. Nigerians are fortunate to have him as their police chief.”

He emphasized that the IGP’s leadership is reform-oriented and results-driven, aimed at instilling professionalism and accountability throughout the Force. “He is not tribalistic or religiously biased — for him, it’s always about the job. He works round the clock and demands excellence from everyone around him.”

Also speaking, the Secretary-General of CASA, Emamode Peters, highlighted the IGP’s intellectual depth and hands-on approach to leadership. He praised Egbetokun’s unrelenting work ethic and noted his dedication to policing excellence.

“One thing I deeply admire about the IGP is that he leads by example,” Peters said. “He’s in the office early, spends over 14 hours a day working, and often continues at home into the early hours of the morning. His discipline and commitment are unmatched. Laziness and mediocrity have no space under his leadership.”

CASA reaffirmed its support for the Inspector General and warned those orchestrating the smear campaign to desist, stating that any attempt to derail the IGP’s reform agenda is ultimately an attack on Nigeria’s law enforcement credibility and national security architecture.

As the IGP continues to implement far-reaching reforms in the police force, the organization called on citizens, civil society, and the media to stand in defense of integrity and professionalism and to resist efforts by vested interests to return the police to an era of impunity.