- Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s recent message emphasizing the rule of law as a nation’s “first line of defence” has drawn sharp criticism from activist Omoyele Sowore.
- Sowore accused the police chief of hypocrisy, alleging illegal tenure extension, misuse of power, and suppression of peaceful protesters.
- The exchange has reignited public debate on accountability and professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force.
A post shared by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has sparked strong reactions online after activist and politician Omoyele Sowore criticized the police chief for alleged hypocrisy and misconduct.
In a statement shared by police spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin on X (formerly Twitter), Egbetokun was quoted as saying:
“The truth is that a nation’s first line of defence is not its army; it is its people — educated, disciplined, and united by the rule of law.”
The message, intended to highlight civic responsibility and the importance of law and order, quickly drew attention — but not for the reasons the police anticipated.
Responding via his verified X handle, Omoyele Sowore accused the Inspector-General of contradicting his own message, alleging that Egbetokun’s conduct within the Nigeria Police Force violates the very principles he preached.
Sowore claimed the IGP’s tenure was “illegally extended” beyond retirement and accused him of promoting favoritism, tribalism, and using the police to suppress peaceful demonstrators during the 2024 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.
“From the same man who deployed armed police to shoot at defenceless minors peacefully protesting… From the same man who abuses his office to settle personal scores instead of upholding justice,” Sowore wrote.
He further described Egbetokun as “the embodiment of everything wrong with law enforcement in Nigeria today.”
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