The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s latest military shake-up, describing it as “incomplete and politically tainted” for leaving out what it called the weakest link in Nigeria’s security chain — the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
In a fiery statement on Friday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused President Tinubu of placing “ethnic loyalty above national interest” by retaining Egbetokun despite what the group termed “an alarming breakdown of internal security” across the country.
“If anyone should have been shown the door immediately, it’s the Inspector-General of Police,” Onwubiko said.
“Under his watch, the Nigeria Police Force has collapsed operationally. Intelligence capacity has evaporated, professionalism has died, and corruption has become systemic.”
The rights group described the police under Egbetokun as “a spent force,” lamenting what it called a failure to protect citizens from “the rising wave of kidnappings, banditry, and armed violence now gripping communities nationwide.”
HURIWA alleged that Tinubu’s decision was influenced by personal ties, recalling that Egbetokun served as his Chief Security Officer during his tenure as Lagos State governor.
“The only reason he is still there is because he is the President’s kinsman,” HURIWA alleged.
“This loyalty-driven retention makes nonsense of the entire security reform narrative.”
The criticism came just hours after the President announced sweeping changes in the military leadership, naming General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his post as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Tinubu said the reshuffle was part of efforts to “strengthen national security” and commended the outgoing Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedication.”
But HURIWA insists the reform is half-hearted until the police leadership is overhauled.
It also accused the government of “unconstitutionally” applying the 2020 Police Act amendment to extend the IGP’s tenure — allegedly to keep the force politically aligned ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is not reform; it’s recycling of loyalty,” the statement concluded.
“Nigeria needs a younger, more competent and visionary police leadership — not one kept in place for politics.”