By Gloria To Chukwu Umeweni
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice (CCSG-PSGEJ) has strongly condemned what it describes as a coordinated and malicious media attack against the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (Force CID), DIG Margaret Agebe Ochalla.
The Coalition expressed concern that the publication by Sahara Reporters is a calculated attempt to discredit the leadership of the Force CID at a critical time when sweeping reforms are being implemented.
According to the group, the timing—coinciding with activities surrounding the 2026 National Police Week—is aimed at distracting the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and key national stakeholders from ongoing structural changes within the police investigative system.
Highlighting DIG Ochalla’s leadership since her assumption of office in March 2026, the Coalition noted that her tenure has been marked by bold and transformative reforms.
These include the dismantling of entrenched informal systems that previously compromised investigative integrity, the introduction of a merit-based case handling structure, and the digitalization of case tracking processes at the Force CID headquarters in Area 10, Abuja. These reforms, the statement emphasized, have significantly improved transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
The Coalition further described the allegations published against DIG Ochalla as unsubstantiated and reliant on anonymous sources, stressing that such claims lack credibility and appear designed to undermine public confidence.
It reaffirmed that DIG Ochalla’s career, spanning over three decades, has been defined by professionalism, discipline, and strategic leadership across various commands.
Particularly noteworthy, the group added, is her role as one of the few female officers to occupy such a sensitive and strategic position within the Force CID in recent times—an achievement it attributed to competence and dedication.
The Coalition also warned that persistent attacks on senior police leadership, especially at a time of active national security coordination, could negatively impact the morale of officers and ongoing reform efforts. It called on media organizations to uphold ethical standards and avoid becoming tools for vested interests seeking to derail progress within the Nigeria Police Force.
Reaffirming its support, the CCSG-PSGEJ announced the activation of a digital advocacy and media response team to counter misinformation and defend institutional integrity. The group pledged to continue supporting initiatives that promote transparency, professionalism, and accountability in Nigeria’s security architecture.
“We stand firmly with DIG Margaret Ochalla and the ongoing reforms at the Force CID. These changes represent a decisive shift away from the past, and no amount of misinformation will reverse the progress being made,” the statement concluded.
This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade James Okoronkwo
National Coordinator, CCSG-PSGEJ.