A human rights group based in Lagos has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to checkmate the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Research and Planning, Zango Ibrahim Baba, before he ruins the IGP’s positive plans for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The group, by name Nigeria Now, was reacting to an online publication where it was alleged that some officers at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Lagos were involved in what the rights group described as a fictional financial scandal.

Nigeria Now said in a statement released in Lagos yesterday, Thursday, August 7, 2026, and signed by its Leader, Awudu Joseph, that the DIG has questions to answer over how confidential Police documents found their way into the media and are now being used by hatchetmen to blackmail the Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, CP Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, and some of his officers.

The rights group alleged that DIG Zango is known withing Police circles to have been making frantic efforts to frame CP Eloho and some of his officers over a phantom case which was reportedly handled in 2019 when CP Eloho had not been posted to the unit.

Giving more insight into the matter, Nigeria Now stated that not long after CP Eloho assumed duties at SFU, the DIG started disturbing him with calls that he should issue a query to the ACP in charge of Legal section “and another officer who he said was the IPO in a case he, DIG, said he investigated and charged to court 17 years ago.

According to the DIG, the officers at SFU withdrew a 17-year-old matter from court without carrying the complainant along.”

Clearing Eloho of any culpability in the matter, the rights group said that, upon investigating the allegations, it found that, "As a well grounded officer and supervisor of the affected officers, the CP immediately called the Ac Legal and verbally queried him. The Ac Legal had asked that the CP allow him bring the case file for him to see for himself.

"Lo and behold, upon the CP perusal of same, he saw that there were several complaints about the charge filed against one of the persons on the charge sheet.

"One of the persons charged by the DIG had absolutely nothing to do with the case save for the fact she provided a a genuine collateral for an N18 million loan that was taken by a third party, which at default, she had redeemed by paying over N22 million Naira. Yet, it was justice in the eyes of the DIG to charge her.

"Due to the numerous complaints as typical of all matters handled by the DIG, the matter which was filed in 2019 as against the lie of 15 years ago being bandied by him, the matter was withdrawn for re-investigation in December 2025.

“Two CP’s have sat on that seat since then before CP Eloho was posted to the PSFU and resumed 1st of April. Why didn’t Zango issue queries to them? Was he afraid? Or is he playing an ethnic card?"

The rights group further said that the matter was withdrawn by then CP Aderonke (now AIG) who had asked the AC Legal to advise her on the steps to follow given the plethora of complaints trailing the charge.

According to Nigeria Now, "And on the strength of the opinion rendered by the ACP Legal, the CP directed that the case be withdrawn and certain aspects be re-investigated.

"CP Eloho had consequent, upon the review, called DIG Zango to tell him the circumstances that precipitated the withdrawal of the charge but he wouldn’t listen.

"He was advised to allow CP Eloho to go to Abuja to interview Zango with the case file but he refused, insisting that he would issue the CP with a query.

"As a CP that understand process knowing fully well that the unit under a supervising DIG, CP Eloho called DIG FCID to brief her on DIG Zango’s directives and the circumstances of the case. She had told CP Eloho to tell DIG Zango to discuss the matter with her.

"CP Eloho called DIG Zango and told him about the DIG, FCID’s instructions. DIG Zango flared up, stating clearly that he cannot speak with his junior, that the DIG FCID is his junior. All pleas by the CP for the DIG Zango to listen to explanation were still refused.

"Exhausted, the CP called the DIG FCID and told her that DIG Zango said he would not discuss the matter with her; that the queries must be issued. Of course, the DIG FCID directed that he should not issue those queries.

"DIG Zango has been threatening and interfering with the work of the CP PSFU. It is a good thing that it is said the IGP is investigating. At least the case file will be reviewed and the hollowness of DIG Zango's pretenses would be exposed," the rights group further said.

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