Youth Group Rejects 'False and Malicious' Fraud Claims Against IGP, Calls Report a Smear Campaign

 The Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA), a prominent Nigerian youth advocacy group, has strongly condemned a recent media report alleging that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun is linked to a $2.5 million fraud case and attempted to cover it up digitally.

In a statement issued on Friday, IYA spokesperson Danjuma Lamido described the publication—originally from SaharaReporters—as "not only false and misleading but a deliberate attempt to malign the reputation of the IGP and undermine the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force."

The contested report claimed that IGP Egbetokun engaged external technology experts to remove online references connecting him to a fraud scandal involving a Nigerian socialite. It further suggested the allegations had caused "tension" or "panic" at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

IYA dismissed these assertions as baseless conjecture, insisting there was no evidence of any such involvement, cover-up, or disruption within the police leadership. The group accused the original story of relying on unsubstantiated claims designed to damage the IGP's credibility and distract from the Nigeria Police Force's ongoing efforts in maintaining law and order.

"The report is a cocktail of conjecture and outright fabrication," the statement read, urging the public to disregard it and support the IGP's leadership in strengthening national security.

This is not the first time IYA has defended the IGP against what it terms "malicious" attacks. The group has previously countered similar allegations in social media and other reports, positioning itself as a vocal supporter of police reforms and leadership under Egbetokun.

Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor IGP Egbetokun has issued a direct public response to the original fraud claims at the time of this report. SaharaReporters has not yet commented on IYA's rebuttal.

The development highlights ongoing tensions between media outlets and supporters of security agencies in Nigeria, amid broader discussions on accountability, misinformation, and institutional integrity.