Groups Defend IGP On Tenure Extension, Warns Against Smear Campaign

A coalition of associations has said it would not tolerate any smear campaign of bitterness against the tenure elongation of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu.

The coalition made up of the Foreign Goods Traders Association of Nigeria (FGTAN) and Food Not Bombs Nigeria (FNBM) also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for extending the tenure of the police boss.

The Executive Secretary of FGTAN, Oladahunsi Taofeeq, and the National Coordinator of FNBM, Idowu Isreal, made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking, Taofeeq commended the IGP for his dexterity, charisma, and detribalized patriotism to his fatherland and lauded him for the ongoing reforms of the Nigeria Police.

He called on the general public to disregard unfounded stories aimed at tarnishing the image of the IGP or Presidency by some online or print media outlets.

According to him, some online media outlets are reputed for orchestrating damaging information to incite the people against the government.

“This is a period when all and sundry irrespective of our interest are expected to jointly work towards ensuring a crime-free, crisis-free, and secured nation with a more reformed police force.

“This is better than the dissemination of baseless information that is intended to set the nation back,” he said.

It was rumoured that the IGP paid over N2 billion to get a one-year extension in office, but the police boss has denied the rumours.

He gave the denial in a statement, signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Mba said the rumours are untrue, unfounded, defamatory and libelous, adding that fake news will not stop the police boss from going after criminal elements in the country.