Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has asked President Bola Tinubu to sack Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to pave the way for urgent reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.
Adeyanju made the call in an open letter to the president on Thursday.
He said the NPF under Egbetokun had become increasingly compromised by a pattern of conduct that had brought the institution into disrepute.
According to him, the NPF had become personalised and weaponised, with growing reports of the force being used to settle personal scores and intimidate private citizens.
Adeyanju warned that the deepening rot within the NPF, if left unchecked, would “completely erode public trust and destroy the very institution meant to protect us all”.
He said, “With utmost respect for the office you occupy, I write to draw your attention to the deepening rot within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which, if left unchecked, threatens to completely erode public trust and destroy the very institution meant to protect us all.
“Under the watch of the current Inspector-General of Police, the Force has become increasingly compromised by a pattern of conduct that has brought the institution into disrepute.
“The NPF has become personalised and weaponised, with growing reports of the Force being used to settle personal scores and intimidate private citizens.
“The civic space has shrunk under a climate of fear. Peaceful expression, association, and lawful dissent are now treated with suspicion or outright hostility by an institution that should protect these freedoms.
“More disturbingly, the men and women who serve in the police force continue to operate under conditions that are nothing short of inhumane.
“Reports of nepotism, favouritism and ethnic promotions above competence and institutional framework has become order of the day.
“Officers lack adequate welfare, modern equipment, proper housing, and fair remuneration resulting into the recent police protest.
“The morale of the average police man is low, and yet they are still expected to perform optimally.
“A force that is deprived of dignity cannot enforce the law with dignity.”
The lawyer said the police force must undergo urgent reforms, which could not happen under Egbetokun.
Adeyanju said, “The NPF urgently needs reform, but reform cannot happen under leadership that undermines its very principles.
“It is in light of this that I respectfully urge you to act decisively by relieving the current Inspector-General of Police of his duties and appointing a leader with a clear commitment to constitutional order and human rights.”
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