PeakNews Online
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has provided clarification regarding the recent police raid on the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. According to Egbetokun, the operation was not directed at the NLC but was instead aimed at apprehending a suspect involved in destabilization efforts linked to the Sudan crisis.
Speaking at a Youth Summit organized by the police in Abuja, the IGP explained that the police were on the trail of an individual suspected of planning to incite unrest in Nigeria. The suspect, who had reportedly played a significant role in the Sudan crisis, was allegedly using a shop within the NLC headquarters as a front for his activities. Egbetokun stated that the police had been monitoring the suspect and, during the raid, recovered critical documents from the shop.
The IGP emphasized that the police acted on intelligence suggesting that some individuals were planning to exploit the ongoing protests against economic hardship to destabilize the country. He noted that several of these suspects had already fled Nigeria, with some being foreign nationals.
Egbetokun also addressed the police’s stance on protests, referencing the violent turn of the ENDSARS protests as a key reason for their cautious approach. He argued that protests organized via social media are particularly prone to violence, as they attract a wide range of participants, including potential criminals.
In addition to the explanation for the raid, the IGP discussed police efforts to enhance security for farmers in the Northeast. He revealed that farm patrols have been initiated to provide security and encourage farmers to return to their fields, as part of efforts to address food insecurity.
When questioned about corruption within the police force, Egbetokun acknowledged the existence of “bad eggs” but noted that this issue is not unique to the police, reflecting broader societal challenges. He assured that the police leadership is committed to identifying and removing corrupt officers from the force.
The IGP concluded by stressing the interconnected nature of Nigeria’s security, economic, political, and environmental challenges, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions to address these issues.
