A Nigerian citizen, Olungbemiga Timileyin, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, calling for an investigation into a Facebook post that allegedly claimed the recent rescue operation carried out by the Nigeria Police Force to free the youngest sister of Chief Bayo Adelabu and her twin sons from their abductors was staged.

The petition, addressed to the IGP at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, referenced a Facebook user identified as “Mewolaka,” who reportedly alleged that the police rescue of the kidnapped victims was not genuine.
Timileyin described the claim as a serious allegation capable of undermining public confidence in the efforts of security agencies combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.

According to the petitioner, police officers routinely risk their lives in rescue operations, and any assertion suggesting that such operations were fabricated should be subjected to thorough investigation.

He argued that unsubstantiated claims of this nature could mislead the public, create unnecessary suspicion, discourage cooperation with law enforcement agencies, and weaken trust in critical national institutions.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to express their opinions, Timileyin maintained that allegations against public institutions should be supported by credible evidence.

He therefore urged the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the publication and invite the individual responsible for the post to provide evidence supporting the allegation.

According to the petition, such an investigation would help establish the facts, reassure the public, and demonstrate that misinformation capable of eroding trust in security institutions would be treated seriously and in accordance with the law.

The Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the petition as of the time of filing this report.

Below is the text of the petition:

PETITION FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF A FACEBOOK POST ALLEGING THAT A NIGERIA POLICE RESCUE OPERATION WAS STAGED

The Inspector General of Police,
Nigeria Police Force ,
Nigeria Police Force Headquarters,
Louis Edet House,
Abuja, FCT.

Dear Sir,

I write as a concerned citizen to draw the attention of the Nigeria Police Force to a Facebook post allegedly made by a user identified as ” Mewolaka ” in which she claimed that the recent rescue of kidnapped victims by officers of the Nigeria Police Force was staged.

The fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes remains one of the most important security challenges facing our nation. Many police officers put their lives on the line daily to protect citizens and rescue victims from criminals. For this reason, any public claim suggesting that a successful rescue operation was fabricated is a very serious allegation that should not be ignored.

Such statements, when made without credible evidence, have the potential to mislead the public, create unnecessary suspicion, weaken public trust in security institutions, and discourage citizens from cooperating with law enforcement agencies. They can also undermine the sacrifices and efforts of officers who work tirelessly to keep Nigerians safe.

While every citizen has the right to express opinions, allegations of this nature should be backed by facts. It is therefore important that the Nigeria Police Force investigates this claim and invites the individual responsible for the publication to provide the basis for her assertion.

An investigation will help establish the truth, reassure members of the public, and demonstrate that misinformation capable of causing public distrust in critical national institutions will be treated with the seriousness it deserves.

I respectfully urge the Nigeria Police Force to look into this matter and take any action deemed appropriate in accordance with the law.

Thank you for your attention and commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation’s security institutions.