The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and the Bloggers and Vloggers Content Creators Association (BAVCCA) have dismissed recent allegations against Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Uche, describing reports by Sahara Reporters as sensational and unverified.
At a joint press briefing on Friday, February 20, 2026, representatives of the groups said the publication alleging impropriety in the tenure and professional status of the senior police officer lacked credible evidence and relied heavily on unnamed sources.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Kola Anifowoshe said the organisations had reviewed the report and found no verified documentation supporting the claims.
“At no point has any competent authority publicly indicted Commissioner Ifeanyi Uche for wrongdoing. The report relies heavily on unnamed sources, conjecture, and narrative framing designed to provoke suspicion rather than present substantiated facts,” Anifowoshe said.
The groups emphasized that journalism is critical for democracy and accountability, but it must be guided by verification, fairness, and responsibility.
They warned that amplifying unverified allegations against serving officers in sensitive security positions could undermine institutional stability.
COCSON and BAVCCA also noted that matters concerning tenure, postings, or service extensions within the Nigeria Police Force are administrative issues governed by internal regulations, not media speculation.
The organisations referenced Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, but stressed that this right does not protect deliberate falsehood, malicious misrepresentation, or defamatory content.
They also cited the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, which criminalizes the intentional spread of false information online that damages reputation or public order.
The groups called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the spread of misinformation and take appropriate steps to safeguard institutional integrity and public confidence.
“If there are genuine concerns regarding administrative decisions within the Police, such matters should be addressed through lawful oversight mechanisms and official channels, not through speculative media trials,” Anifowoshe added.
Reaffirming their commitment to truth, due process, and institutional stability, COCSON and BAVCCA urged media practitioners and digital content creators to exercise restraint and professionalism when reporting on national security matters.
“The rule of law must prevail,” the coalition concluded.
