Nigeria’s Police Chief, IGP Egbetokun Wages War Against Misinformation, Fake News
By Trek Africa Newspaper
In Nigeria’s intricate world of public service, where official titles often overshadow personal identities, one police officer has risen to national prominence by combining intellect with operational experience.
Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Nigeria’s 22nd indigenous Inspector-General of Police, stands out not merely for his rank but for his unconventional understanding of modern security dynamics.
Appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2023, Egbetokun took charge of an institution facing the dual challenges of internal reform and public distrust. The Nigeria Police Force, central to the country’s stability, has long struggled with image and efficiency problems.
Egbetokun’s tenure marks a shift in focus from purely tactical policing to addressing deeper, structural threats — including the growing power of misinformation in the digital age.
In a recent public address, the police chief captured this emerging reality in one stark sentence: “Misinformation has become a silent bomb; it does not destroy buildings; it destroys trust.”
His remark has reverberated widely, highlighting his belief that security in the 21st century is as much about managing narratives as managing physical threat aborated on this point, warning that the velocity of false information can outpace any traditional threat. “A single false post can cause chaos faster than a bullet can travel,” he said, urging citizens to think critically before sharing unverified news.
For Egbetokun, the fight against misinformation is not a mere public relations campaign — it is a strategic priority. He views disinformation as a weapon that can weaken public confidence, incite unrest, and hinder legitimate law enforcement operations.
His response has been to call for synergy among security agencies and active cooperation from citizens. Transparency and reliable communication, he argues, are essential to building what he describes as “a fortress of truth.”
Egbetokun’s academic background sheds light on his analytical approach. Holding a Ph.D. in Peace and Security Studies, he brings an intellectual depth uncommon among senior police officers. His academic research centers on conflict prevention and the societal foundations of peace.
That scholarship, combined with decades of service, informs his reform agenda. He has emphasized intelligence-led policing, technology integration, and community engagement as cornerstones of a modern, trustworthy force.
His connection with President Tinubu dates back to 1999, when he served as Chief Security Officer to the then-Governor of Lagos State. The role gave him firsthand exposure to political and administrative realities — experience that continues to shape his leadership style.
Over the years, Egbetokun’s career has been marked by steady progression through both command and training roles, reinforcing his reputation as a disciplined and cerebral officer.
Now at the helm of the police hierarchy, he faces the enormous task of steering an image-battered institution toward professionalism and public trust. For him, credibility is not a luxury — it is a foundation for effective policing.
“The fight against crime and the fight against misinformation are intertwined,” he said recently. “A community that trusts its police is more willing to share information, and that cooperation is the essence of security.”
As Nigeria navigates both kinetic and digital threats, Egbetokun’s leadership represents an evolution in national security thinking — one that treats truth itself as a tool of defense.
Whether his tenure succeeds may ultimately depend less on arrests and crime rates than on how resilient Nigerian society becomes against the silent bombs of misinformation and distrust.
