The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports in a section of the media that Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, travelled to London to meet President Muhammadu Buhari who is currently on a medical vacation in the country.
A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, on Wednesday, however, said the IGP embarked on an official visit to London on the invitation of SO15, the London Metropolitan Police Service.
The SO15, the statement said, is part of the Metropolitan Police Service Counter Terrorism Command that works for the protection of London and the United Kingdom, against threats of terrorism.
“This visit is part of the gains of the international donor platform established by the IGP on assumption of office in June, 2016 to empower police personnel in modern techniques of fighting organised crimes,” Awunah said.
He added that the visit will discuss areas of provision of working tools and capacity building
“Contrary to the compelling objectives of the planned visit, however, some sections of the Nigerian online and print media are disseminating invented and incorrect stories, and misrepresenting facts regarding the official visit of the IGP to the United Kingdom,” he added.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the IGP did not lead ‘a high powered delegation’ to visit President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on vacation in London. The visit of IGP to London while the President is on vacation is merely coincidental.
“Indeed, the present visit to the United Kingdom by the IGP will not be the first time the nation’s top security chief will be consolidating on pre-existing protocols and collaborations with other countries across the world, in the quest for a more secure Nigeria and by extension, a safer world.”
The police spokesman advised the media to “always cross check their facts rather than hide under the convenient guise of ‘unconfirmed sources’ to peddle mischief and mislead the public.”
