The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced plans to intensify efforts in tackling misinformation and disinformation in the country, recognizing their potential to incite unrest and damage public trust in security agencies.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun disclosed this when the Director-General (DG) of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, paid him a courtesy visit on March 13, 2025, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Ndace commended the IGP for his leadership and proactive approach to security since assuming office.
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He acknowledged the growing challenge of disinformation and its impact on public’s perception of security agencies, stressing that false narratives can undermine the credibility of the police and erode trust in governance.
He assured the IGP of VON’s readiness to work closely with the Force in combating the spread of misleading content that distorts reality.
In response, Egbetokun expressed appreciation for the support of the media, emphasizing that disinformation is a major threat to national security. He noted that misinformation often fuels public unrest and misrepresents the efforts of security agencies.
He welcomed VON’s commitment to using its platform to counter fake news and pledged the Force’s cooperation in ensuring that accurate information reaches the public.
The IGP reaffirmed that the NPF remains steadfast in upholding press freedom and recognize the responsibility of the media in ensuring factual and responsible reporting.
He urged journalists and media organizations to be vigilant in fact-checking and verifying information before dissemination to prevent the spread of falsehoods that could incite public disorder.
As part of its broader commitment to transparency and accountability, the Nigeria Police Force encourages open dialogue and constructive feedback from citizens and stakeholders, Egbetokun said.
The IGP assured the public that the Force will continue to operate with professionalism, integrity, and respect for democratic values while taking decisive steps to tackle the menace of misinformation and disinformation in Nigeria.
The FactCheckHub had previously fact-checked many social media posts targeted at the Nigeria Police Force and aimed to sow mistrust against security agencies.
For instance, an X user claimed that only police officers who have served as a Commissioner of Police in Lagos State can be appointed as Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) – which we found to be FALSE.
To verify this claim, our fact-checker reviewed the Police Act of 2020, particularly Sections 7 and 8, which outline the appointment, tenure, and removal of the IGP. There is no section or subsection that stipulates a requirement for any officer to have served as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State before being appointed as IGP.
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The FactCheckHub also debunked an old video posted by pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, alongside a claim that some men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) generally assaulted their female colleagues.
During the End Bad Governance protest held in August 2024, a video purportedly showing protesters of #EndBadGovernancelnNigeria chasing ‘soldiers’ away with stones in Kaduna State surfaced online. Our findings show that the video is from the anti-finance bill protests held in Kenya earlier on July 16, 2024 – about 2 weeks before the Nigerian protests kicked off.
Nurudeen Akewushola is a fact-checker with FactCheckHub. He has authored several fact checks which have contributed to the fight against information disorder. You can reach him via [email protected] and @NurudeenAkewus1 via Twitter.
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