The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has denied reports claiming he has been lobbying the National Assembly to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020 to extend his tenure and the service years of police personnel, as reported by Vanguard.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP clarified in a statement that the bill in question was originally introduced during the 8th Assembly but did not advance beyond initial stages before the Assembly dissolved. Adejobi emphasized that reviewing and updating laws to reflect current national realities is a standard legislative practice.
The proposed amendment aims to extend the years of service for police officers from 35 to 40 years and the age limit from 60 to 65 years. Adejobi noted that the Nigeria Police Force is concerned about the spread of false information, particularly a distorted publication by an online media outlet. The misleading reports suggested that IGP Egbetokun personally initiated the bill to extend his tenure and had invested heavily in lobbying lawmakers for its passage.
Adejobi said: “The Nigeria Police Force is deeply perturbed by the dissemination of false information across various media platforms, notably the distorted publication by an online media, regarding the proposed amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
“The misleading publications alleged that IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun personally initiated this bill to prolong his tenure as the 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police, and has allegedly invested significantly in lobbying lawmakers to facilitate its passage.’
The statement highlighted that the IGP’s support for the bill is driven by a genuine belief in its potential to improve service conditions for police officers and strengthen national security, rather than seeking personal gain. It was also noted that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already set at four years, with only the President having the authority to remove an IGP before the end of their tenure.
The statement read: “To understand the true motivations behind this initiative, one needs only look at the Inspector General of Police steadfast commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force. His advocacy for this bill stems from a genuine belief in its potential to improve the conditions of service for police officers and thereby bolster security nationwide, rather than seeking personal gain. It comes from the place of duty rather than benefit.“
“Furthermore, it is important to note that the tenure of an Inspector General of Police is already prescribed as four years, with the President being the sole authority empowered to remove an IGP before the completion of his tenure”
The Nigeria Police Force urged the public to exercise caution and discernment when consuming information, especially from sources known for sensationalism and unverified claims. The statement concluded that such misinformation not only misleads but also detracts from constructive dialogue and efforts towards meaningful police reform.