Akure, Nigeria — The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has urged newly appointed Commissioners of Police to prioritize professionalism and leadership in their efforts to ensure public safety across the nation. This directive follows the recent reassignment of several senior officers to various commands, highlighting a renewed commitment to effective policing.
Among the newcomers is Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal, who takes over the Ondo State Command, succeeding Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi. Afolabi’s removal ties directly to his investigation into a violent attack on June 12 protesters in Akure, a situation that has since stirred significant controversy and debate.
Other officers receiving new appointments include CP Naziru D. Abdulmajid to Borno State, CP Bello Rasheed Afegbua to Cross River State, and CP Dahiru Mohammed to Jigawa State, among others. The swift changes aim to enhance operational effectiveness and bolster community relations across various regions.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, stated the reshuffling aligns with Egbetokun’s vision for a more professional police force. He emphasized that the experience of senior officers would be instrumental in fostering a safer environment for citizens.
Egbetokun reaffirmed the commitment of the police to build a secure nation and urged citizens to support the police in their crime-fighting endeavors. This call comes after tensions escalated during a peaceful protest on Democracy Day, where demonstrators alleged police collusion in the violent suppression of their assembly.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest, organized to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, was disrupted by armed thugs allegedly linked to local political factions. Omoyele Sowore, a prominent human rights activist, reportedly faced aggression from the mob, who were allegedly supported by police forces present during the demonstration.
Sowore criticized the police for their inaction, claiming that they were complicit in the attacks rather than protecting the protesters. He expressed deep concern over the troubling trend of violence against advocates of democratic rights in Nigeria.
Testimonies from police sources revealed that internal tensions led to Afolabi’s removal, particularly after his investigation began to implicate influential state officials in connection with the assault. The situation intensified further when Afolabi met Sowore following the protest, which some at the Force Headquarters viewed unfavorably.
Despite the complexities of the events leading to Afolabi’s reassignment, police leadership remains optimistic about the changes. The new assignments are intended to instill accountability and integrity within the force, a necessary step toward restoring public trust in law enforcement.
As the Nigerian police navigate these challenges, citizens await the outcomes of ongoing investigations and the effectiveness of the new command structure in tackling issues of violence and insecurity throughout the country.