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IGP vs Sowore: Civil Society Groups Back Police Boss, Ongoing Reforms To Improve Policing
Civil society groups under the umbrella of Concerned Citizens for Justice and Rule of Law have thrown their weight behind Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, commending his efforts in ensuring national security and tackling crime across Nigeria.
The group, at a press conference on Friday, also condemned the attacks on the IGP by Omoyele Sowore, describing him as an agent of chaos and misinformation.
According to the group, Sowore’s actions are part of a well-orchestrated distraction campaign aimed at diverting attention from the progress being made in ensuring national security.
The group’s spokesperson, Comrade Kabir Matazu, praised the IGP’s leadership, highlighting the significant reduction in violent crimes, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and terrorism-related incidents.
Matazu also commended the IGP’s commitment to community policing initiatives, which have strengthened trust between the police and citizens.
“We take this moment to also condemn in its entirety the baseless and malicious attacks being launched against the IGP by Omoyele Sowore, a well-known agent of chaos and misinformation,” the statement said.
“It is clear to us that his paymasters who are uncomfortable with the progress being made in crime reduction under this administration have once again mobilized him to undermine the security apparatus of our great nation.
“Nevertheless, let it be known that Nigeria is not a playground for anarchists, and the rule of law will always prevail over the antics of mischief-makers like Sowore.
“Undoubtedly, the IGP has brought a new era of professionalism and effectiveness to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Unlike some who blow their own trumpets at the slightest achievement, IGP Egbetokun has quietly and meticulously implemented strategic reforms that have significantly curbed crime.
“Apparently, his leadership has witnessed a marked reduction in violent crimes, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and terrorism-related incidents. Furthermore, community policing initiatives which he broadly enacted have helped to strengthen trust between the police and citizens, ensuring better cooperation in intelligence gathering.
“Despite these laudable achievements, the IGP has chosen modesty over self-glorification. A rare trait which we see as the mark of a true leader; one who is fully driven by duty rather than personal acclaim.
“However, it is no surprise that Omoyele Sowore and his paymasters are displeased with the prospect of Nigeria successfully getting a grip on crime-fighting. His unwarranted attacks on the IGP are part of what we believe to be a well-orchestrated distraction campaign aimed at diverting attention from the tremendous progress being made in ensuring national security.”
In contrast, the group lambasted Sowore, describing him as a professional protest organiser, an agent of destabilisation, and a mouthpiece for those who wish to keep Nigeria in perpetual crisis.
They accused him of inciting anarchy, spreading falsehoods, and misleading the public through his biased online platform, Sahara Reporters.
“Sowore’s actions are not patriotic, but treacherous,” Matazu said. “He is a self-serving mercenary who has no real interest in the welfare of the people. His sole mission is to create chaos and derail Nigeria’s progress.”
The group also criticized Sowore’s tactics, saying they are part of a broader agenda to weaken Nigeria’s institutions and make it easier for his foreign sponsors to control the national narrative.
“Sowore’s willingness to sell out the country for personal gain is evident in his desperate attempts to paint the IGP, and by extension, Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies, in a bad light,” Matazu said.
The group urged Nigerians not to be swayed by Sowore’s antics, emphasizing that he is fighting for his own interests rather than the welfare of the people. They also called on the Judiciary to allow the law to take its full course, stating that no one is above justice.
The Concerned Citizens for Justice and Rule of Law reaffirmed their full support for the IGP, urging him not to be distracted by Sowore’s attacks.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)