Integrity Youth Alliance Faults HURIWA Over Claims On Police Leadership Appointment
The Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA) has criticised the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) over its recent comments regarding the appointment of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, describing the group’s claims as misleading and divisive.
According to a statement on Monday signed by the group’s spokesperson, Danjuma Lamido, , the group said HURIWA’s assertion that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu bypassed the most senior officer in favour of a junior officer was “legally flawed and deceptive.”
According to the Alliance, provisions of the Police Act do not mandate that the Inspector-General of Police must be appointed strictly based on seniority, but rather on merit, qualifications, and professional experience.
“The appointment of IGP Tunji Disu is lawful and consistent with statutory requirements,” the statement said.
The group also dismissed claims that former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was dismissed from office, clarifying that he resigned. It described any contrary narrative as false and an attempt to mislead the public.
Reacting to allegations that Deputy Inspector-General Frank Mba was overlooked due to ethnic considerations, the Alliance said such claims were unfounded and capable of undermining national unity.
“It is irresponsible to reduce a constitutional and professional process to ethnic sentiments,” the group stated.
The Alliance further rejected allegations against the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, under DIG Sadiq Abubakar, describing claims of unlawful arrests and detention practices as false.
It maintained that law enforcement officers operate within legal frameworks, noting that arrests are only made when individuals fail to honour official invitations.
The group also dismissed claims of the existence of an illegal detention facility in Abuja allegedly used for extortion, describing the allegation as fabricated.
While condemning HURIWA’s description of the Nigeria Police Force as a “massive bag of rotten eggs,” the Alliance said such generalisations were unfair to officers who continue to serve with professionalism and dedication.
The Integrity Youth Alliance urged Nigerians to disregard what it called divisive narratives and to remain confident in the country’s law enforcement institutions