The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has distanced itself from a purported “AFRIPOL 2026” programme being circulated online, describing it as unauthorised and misleading.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said the police neither approved, endorsed nor authorized the programme.

The Force also condemned what it described as the unauthorized use of the name “AFRIPOL,” noting that the acronym refers to the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation, an official continental policing structure established under the African Union framework.

According to the statement, AFRIPOL is not a platform for private individuals or organizations to host unauthorized programmes.

The police further clarified that the leadership of the Force did not authorize the use of the image of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the official logo of the NPF, or the identity of the Force in connection with the programme.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state categorically that it did not approve, endorse, or authorize the purported ‘AFRIPOL 2026’ programme currently being circulated online,” the statement read.

The police advised members of the public as well as corporate organizations to disregard the publication and avoid any sponsorship, payment or engagement related to the event.

It warned that any association with the programme would not have the backing or recognition of the Nigeria Police Force. (The Nation)