The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has stated that police officers who were protecting the foreign hackers arrested for cybercrimes were on illegal duty.
On November 4, the Nigeria Police Force announced the arrest of 130 suspects linked to high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities threatening national security.
The group included 113 foreign nationals – 87 men and 26 women – mainly from China and Malaysia, as well as 17 Nigerian collaborators.
However, an investigation conducted by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the foreign nationals had enjoyed police protection before their arrest.
Reacting to the report on Monday during a workshop organised for the standardisation of criminal investigations, Egbetokun confirmed that the police officers involved had been arrested and were currently being detained.
He said, “It is true that some policemen were seen protecting these foreigners. They have been arrested. We found that these policemen were on illegal duty. Nobody deployed them. They were not properly assigned to that task.”
Egbetokun noted that their commander had disowned them, asserting that the officers protecting the foreigners would be dealt with.
He continued, “I have explained that those police escorts were not formally deployed by the police authority; they were found performing illegal duties. They have already been found escorting the arrested foreigners. Their unit commanders have denied having sent them.
“They were performing illegal duties, and they will be dealt with accordingly.”
However, he clarified that there are certain individuals in society, particularly employers and prominent businessmen, who do require police protection.
Egbetokun said, “That does not negate the fact that we have to provide protection for certain individuals in society. There are VIPs that the police must protect.
“There are major businessmen, employers of labour, and individuals who have thousands of Nigerians in their organisations. These individuals deserve protection.
“Because if something happens to them, you can imagine the impact it will have on their businesses and the effect it will have on unemployment rates in our country. We assess their position in society and their contribution to the economy when determining whether they need police protection.”
The IG also addressed the issue of police officers being attached to individuals who do not require police protection, revealing that such officers were often not formally deployed.
He said, “Some of these policemen you see attached to people who don’t deserve police protection were not formally deployed by the police authority. Some of them were picked off the streets. We are already addressing this issue.
“Recently, I issued a directive that any policeman found in such situations will be traced to their origin, and their commander or supervisor will be held accountable. We are confident that with the measures we have taken, such incidents will reduce.”
Egbetokun cautioned against the misuse of police escorts, saying, “It is important to note that sometimes individuals apply for escorts. We investigate to confirm they deserve them and provide the necessary security. However, if those individuals misuse their escorts, we immediately withdraw them. There are cases where those entitled to police escorts misuse them, and we take action accordingly.”
Regarding the minors who were arrested, Egbetokun clarified that they were not detained for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, but for looting and destroying public infrastructure.
He said, “I don’t want to make any categorical statements on this issue after the intervention of Mr President. I want to thank Mr President for his fatherly intervention in granting those children a pardon. However, I want to correct the impression that the minors were arrested for participating in the End Bad Governance protest. That is a false narrative.
“The police did not arrest anyone for participating in the End Bad Governance protest. We arrested criminals who took advantage of the protest to destroy public infrastructure, private businesses, and commit arson. These individuals cannot be considered protesters. The police did not arrest any protesters.
“It’s a mischievous narrative to claim that the 76 suspects who were arraigned in court were people who participated in the End Bad Governance protest.
“We have said time and again that protesting is a right of citizens. However, these individuals were caught on video looting businesses, destroying private and public property, and committing crimes. You cannot expect the police to turn a blind eye and allow this destruction to continue. No society can progress under such circumstances.”