Egbetokun orders probe of Amnesty International’s report on South-east killings

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed an immediate and comprehensive institutional review of Amnesty International’s 128-page report, “A Decade of Impunity: Attacks and Unlawful Killings in South-east Nigeria.”

The report, released recently by the human rights watchdog, accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies of widespread extrajudicial killings and systematic human rights violations in the South-east region over the past decade.

In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP instructed relevant departments and affected field formations to conduct a meticulous, line-by-line evaluation of the allegations.

The review will involve cross-referencing claims in the report with operational records, field intelligence, and situation reports from police commands and tactical units in the South-east.

Egbetokun stressed that the review reflects his “unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and operational professionalism,” while also noting that previous Amnesty International reports had occasionally contained “factual inaccuracies and sweeping generalisations.”

He assured that the Police Force would issue a detailed, evidence-based response once the internal assessment is concluded.

“This engagement will reflect the Force’s principled approach to constructive criticism and its responsibility to protect public trust through verified information and contextual clarity,” the IGP said.

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Egbetokun reaffirmed the Force’s dedication to rights-based policing and ongoing institutional reforms in line with global best practices, including improved human rights training and strengthened accountability mechanisms.

He added that the Police remain open to constructive dialogue with civil society groups, human rights institutions, international partners, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has launched a new digital recruitment portal in Abuja.

The commission said the portal will serve as the official platform for staff recruitment as well as the enlistment of police officers during designated exercises.

The initiative will also decentralise recruitment, empowering recruitment desk officers from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to play more active roles in the 2025 recruitment exercise.

A statement by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the decision followed a consultative meeting with recruitment officers from all states of the federation and the FCT.

Although the move differs from the stance of the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Police Academy, Wudil, the commission assured that stakeholders—including the Ministry of Police Affairs, the NPF, and the Federal Character Commission—will have access to the portal.

This, the PSC noted, is aimed at ensuring inclusiveness, transparency, and the elimination of corruption and nepotism in the recruitment process.

Ani added that the decentralisation initiative is expected to consolidate efficient, equitable, and accountable recruitment, thereby strengthening public confidence in the policing system.