Akure, Nigeria — The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged the newly appointed Commissioners of Police to maintain high standards of professionalism and leadership as they work to ensure the safety and security of citizens in their areas of command.
Among the recent appointments, Adebowale Lawal takes over as Commissioner of Police for Ondo State, succeeding Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, who was dismissed following an investigation into a violent incident involving protesters on June 12. This reorganization aims to enhance operational efficiency and uphold professional integrity within the police force.
Other notable appointments include Naziru D. Abdulmajid to the Borno State Command, Bello Rasheed Afegbua to the Cross River State Command, and several others assigned to various departments. These changes, which were effective immediately, are a part of Egbetokun’s broader vision to strengthen leadership across the police force.
In a statement, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, emphasized that the strategic deployments are designed to leverage the extensive policing experience of the new commissioners to promote effective law enforcement and enhance public safety.
Egbetokun reaffirmed the force’s commitment to creating a safer environment, encouraging the public to collaborate with law enforcement in addressing crime and insecurity. This call to action follows the unrest surrounding the June 12 protests in Akure, which were marred by violent confrontations between police and demonstrators.
Reports suggest that Afolabi’s removal stemmed not only from his investigation into the protests but also from his engagement with activists, including human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore, who had brought attention to the alleged involvement of state officials in directing the attack on peaceful protesters.
The June 12 incident drew significant scrutiny, as protesters commemorated Nigeria’s Democracy Day when a group of thugs, reportedly working with certain police forces, violently disrupted the gathering. Eyewitness accounts indicated that the attackers, led by a known political enforcer, began to assault demonstrators during the event, raising concerns about police complicity.
Afolabi’s inquiry reportedly revealed troubling connections between the assault on protesters and high-ranking officials, including implications of state funding for the attackers. Sources disclosed that the IGP expressed dissatisfaction with Afolabi’s approach to the investigation, feeling he should have acted more decisively against the protesters instead of engaging with them.
As the conflict over the June 12 incident continues to unfold, Sowore and fellow activists are demanding accountability and a thorough investigation into the attack. They argue that such measures are essential to uphold democracy and protect the rights of citizens in Nigeria.
In his remarks following the attack, Sowore condemned the alleged collaboration between police and the thugs, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. He expressed skepticism about the police’s commitment to justice but stressed the importance of monitoring their actions in the aftermath of the violence.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions between law enforcement and civil rights advocates in Nigeria, as calls for reform and accountability grow louder in the wake of protest-related violence. The latest appointments within the police force may play a critical role in how these issues are addressed moving forward.