The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has voiced strong concern over the persistent attacks on the Nigeria Police Force across social media, asserting that “no public institution in Nigeria has suffered greater reputational damage from misinformation than the Nigeria Police Force.”
Addressing participants at the 2025 Annual Conference of Police Public Relations Officers, the IGP directed all Police PROs to become more proactive in countering falsehoods.
He urged them not to wait until misinformation saturates the public space before reacting, but instead to anticipate emerging issues, prepare credible narratives, and intervene early.
Egbetokun emphasised that responses must be swift, factual, respectful, and backed by evidence rather than assumptions.
According to him, a single unguarded remark can undermine months of diligent work, while a timely, accurate, and empathetic message has the power to ease tension, prevent crises, and strengthen public trust.
He noted the increasing wave of deceptive content spreading online—old videos recirculated as new incidents, edited images presented as genuine, and deliberately manipulated narratives designed to mislead the public.
He stressed that while it is impractical for the Inspector-General or the Force Headquarters to refute every misleading claim, silence is no longer an option.
“The responsibility lies with you, the Public Relations Officers across Commands and Formations, to respond swiftly, accurately, and responsibly when such misinformation emerges,” he said.
He added, “You are the first line of defence in the information ecosystem, and your vigilance, clarity, and professionalism are vital to ensuring that falsehoods do not become accepted truths.”
The IGP further reminded the officers that, in an age where silence is often misinterpreted and information gaps are easily exploited, they must be ready not only to speak but to speak with intention; not only to clarify but to engage; not only to respond but to lead.
He charged them to be proactive, urging: “Do not wait for misinformation to dominate the space before you respond. Anticipate issues, prepare credible narratives, and engage early. Where false narratives emerge, issue swift, factual, and respectful rebuttals. Communicate with evidence, not assumptions.”
Egbetokun also cautioned PROs to uphold confidentiality in sensitive matters, warning against revealing details that could compromise investigations, endanger victims, undermine prosecutions, or expose operational strategies.
Professional discretion, he said, remains a cornerstone of credible communication, and officers must always balance transparency with operational security.
The IGP highlighted the ongoing reforms within the Police Force—reforms he described as wide-ranging, people-centred, and anchored on fairness, service excellence, accountability, respect for human rights, and community partnership.
Calling PROs “torchbearers” of this reform agenda, he tasked them with clearly conveying these changes to the public and ensuring that officers themselves understand and embrace them.
He stressed that their work goes beyond showcasing enforcement achievements or crime statistics; they must also tell stories of compassion, commitment, and sacrifice.
“Nigerians must see the human face of policing.
They need to hear about officers who rescue, mediate, mentor, and protect—those who go beyond the call of duty to save lives or restore peace. This is how we rebuild and sustain public trust,” he said.
He concluded by affirming that effective communication, grounded in accuracy, empathy, and integrity, remains essential to restoring confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
Linus Aleke
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