Forgotten Dairies
False Claims, Clear Facts: Responding To Sowore’s Recent Outburst -By Danjuma Lamido
At Integrity Youth Alliance, we believe strongly in accountability, due process, and responsible civic engagement. Where there are genuine cases of misconduct, they should be investigated thoroughly and addressed within the law. What must be resisted, however, is the dangerous habit of spreading fake news, misinformation, and defamatory claims that undermine institutions and unfairly tarnish individuals without evidence.
It is difficult to be surprised anymore by the pattern of reckless allegations and inflammatory rhetoric that trails Omoyele Sowore’s social media interventions.
His latest Facebook statement, claiming that a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) “brags about being the illegal IGP-beloved ‘tactical unit killer squad’ leader,” is yet another example of deliberate mischief dressed up as activism.
After carefully reading the Sahara Reporters story titled “Nigerian Man Loses Eye After Police Fire Teargas At Close Range In Abuja, Another Shot In Katsina”, one fact stands out clearly: nowhere did the affected young man, Abraham Immanuel, allege that the DPO of Bwari Police Division in Abuja bragged about being a so-called “tactical unit killer squad” leader.
That phrase exists only in Sowore’s imagination and on his Facebook page, not in the testimony of the victim, not in the report, and not in any verifiable account.
This is precisely the problem. A legitimate concern about police conduct is being hijacked and twisted into a sensational, unsubstantiated attack aimed not just at an officer, but at the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Sowore has never hidden his bitter disposition toward the IGP since his appointment, and Nigerians have grown accustomed to the daily barrage of posts laced with venom, speculation, and outright falsehoods.
Consequently, many are no longer bothered by his social media rants, having recognised them for what they are: personal vendettas masquerading as public interest commentary.
For the avoidance of doubt, and in the interest of public enlightenment, the Nigeria Police Force does not operate any entity known as a “tactical unit killer squad”. The Inspector General of Police has neither announced nor authorised such a unit. Inventing sinister-sounding phrases may excite social media mobs, but it does nothing to advance truth, justice, or police accountability.
It is also important to educate Mr Sowore on basic police administration. The appointment of Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders is the statutory responsibility of Commissioners of Police in their respective commands, not the Inspector General of Police.
The IGP is far too engaged with the onerous national task of reforming, modernising, and professionalising the Nigeria Police Force to be meddling in routine command postings or concocting imaginary squads.
At Integrity Youth Alliance, we believe strongly in accountability, due process, and responsible civic engagement. Where there are genuine cases of misconduct, they should be investigated thoroughly and addressed within the law. What must be resisted, however, is the dangerous habit of spreading fake news, misinformation, and defamatory claims that undermine institutions and unfairly tarnish individuals without evidence.
In conclusion, Omoyele Sowore should be reminded that the Cybercrime Act is very much alive and operational. The reckless publication of falsehoods and defamatory content against government officials—now a regrettable trademark of his activism—carries legal consequences. Free speech is not a licence to lie, and activism is not an excuse for character assassination.
Nigeria deserves a debate grounded in facts, not fiction; in responsibility, not rage.
Danjuma Lamido is the spokesman for the Integrity Youth Alliance. Email: danjumalamido2011@gmail.com
