By Gloria Fraser, MFR
LAGOS — Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Moshood Jimoh, has publicly responded for the first time to allegations circulated by social media activist VeryDarkMan over the investigation into the Ajiran murder case, firmly rejecting the claims and insisting that every action taken by the Police was lawful, professionally executed and carried out strictly under the directives of the Inspector-General of Police.
Speaking during a press interview at the Zone 2 Command Headquarters in Lagos on Monday following a solidarity visit by a coalition of human rights organisations, the senior police officer dismissed the allegations as misleading and capable of creating unnecessary public misunderstanding over an ongoing criminal investigation.
His remarks come amid sustained online debates surrounding the investigation into the killings linked to the Ajiran community, a case that has generated significant public attention and intense social media commentary.
Refusing to be drawn into a public confrontation with online critics, AIG Jimoh maintained that criminal investigations are determined by evidence, the law and established police procedures—not by social media narratives.
“I will not engage anyone in a social media battle. Policing and criminal investigations are guided by law, evidence and established procedures—not by online campaigns or public sentiments,” the AIG said.
He stressed that every decision taken during the investigation was implemented within the provisions of the law and in strict compliance with directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police.
According to him, professional investigators owe their allegiance to facts established through evidence rather than opinions circulating across digital platforms.
“Every action we have taken in connection with this investigation has been lawful, professional and in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police,” he stated.
The AIG further reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to professionalism, accountability and constitutional due process, noting that sensitive criminal investigations require discipline, patience and adherence to legal procedures.
He warned that the increasing tendency to substitute social media commentary for criminal investigation could distort public understanding of complex cases and undermine confidence in law enforcement institutions.
“Members of the public should be careful about relying on unverified narratives circulating on social media. Such claims can distort facts, undermine legitimate investigations and weaken public confidence in institutions established to uphold justice,” he cautioned.
Without mentioning any individual beyond the allegations already in the public domain, the senior police officer made it clear that neither media pressure nor online campaigns would influence the conduct of criminal investigations.
Instead, he said investigators would remain focused on obtaining admissible evidence capable of standing judicial scrutiny before the courts.
Security analysts note that the Ajiran investigation has become one of the country’s most publicly debated criminal cases, highlighting the growing influence of social media on public perception of law enforcement activities.
While digital platforms have strengthened public participation and accountability, policing experts caution that online narratives cannot replace forensic investigations, witness testimony, documentary evidence and judicial processes.
Across democratic societies, police agencies increasingly face the challenge of balancing public transparency with the need to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, investigators are routinely discouraged from litigating criminal cases in the media, with evidence expected to be tested in court rather than in the court of public opinion.
Legal practitioners also observe that allegations against law enforcement officials deserve careful scrutiny, but they must equally be subjected to the same evidential standards expected in every criminal or civil proceeding. Public confidence is strengthened not by speculation but by transparent investigations and independent judicial determination.
AIG Jimoh reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force would not allow distractions arising from social media controversies to derail investigations or compromise the pursuit of justice.
“Our responsibility is to uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of every party and ensure that justice is pursued fairly, professionally and without prejudice,” he said.
The solidarity visit by human rights organisations to the Zone 2 Command added another dimension to the unfolding discourse, with participants reportedly urging investigators to remain steadfast in protecting the integrity of the investigative process while allowing the courts to determine issues arising from the case.
As public interest continues to grow, observers say the ultimate test of the investigation will not be the volume of online commentary but the quality of evidence presented before the courts.
For the Nigeria Police Force, the challenge remains clear: maintaining public confidence through professionalism, transparency and fidelity to the rule of law.
For the public, the lesson is equally important. Social media can amplify voices and raise legitimate questions, but criminal liability is determined by evidence, due process and judicial findings—not by hashtags, trending videos or digital opinion polls.
The Ajiran murder investigation continues, and with the AIG’s first public intervention on the controversy, attention is now expected to shift increasingly from online exchanges to the legal processes that will ultimately determine the facts of the case.
The National Patriots welcomes AIG Moshood Jimoh’s reaffirmation that criminal investigations must be guided by evidence, due process and the rule of law. While public scrutiny remains essential in a democracy, allegations should ultimately be tested through lawful investigations and the courts. Strong institutions—not social media verdicts—are indispensable to justice, accountability and public confidence.
Princess G Fraser. MFR
President, The National Patriots.
Special Adviser to Former President Goodluck Jonathan.
