The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that officers providing protection to recently arrested foreign hackers were engaged in unauthorized duties.
On November 4, the Nigeria Police Force announced the arrest of 130 individuals, including 113 foreign nationals and 17 Nigerian collaborators, in connection with cybercrimes and threats to national security.
The detained foreigners, primarily from China and Malaysia, were initially under police protection, as revealed in an investigative report by The PUNCH.
Responding to this, Egbetokun stated on Monday at a criminal investigations workshop that the implicated officers have been apprehended and are currently detained.
“We found out that the policemen were on illegal duty.
Nobody deployed them,” Egbetokun said.
“The policemen have been arrested…their unit commanders have denied they were sent,” he continued.
The IGP also clarified the distinction between individuals who legitimately require police protection, such as high-ranking business figures who contribute significantly to the economy, and others who exploit such services.
“There are VIPs and big businessmen…such individuals deserve protection,” he stated.
However, he emphasized that officers found escorting unauthorized individuals would face disciplinary actions, as directives have been issued to trace and hold responsible their commanders.
Egbetokun warned against misuse of police escorts, noting that when officers are formally assigned but misused, the escorts are promptly withdrawn.
He further addressed misconceptions surrounding the arrest of minors during recent protests, asserting that those detained were involved in acts of looting and vandalism, not lawful protests.
“It’s a wrong narrative.
We arrested criminals who took advantage of the protest to cause destruction,” he said, stressing that peaceful protests are protected by law.
The IGP’s remarks underscore ongoing efforts to ensure accountability within the police force and reinforce responsible allocation of security resources.
