The Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun finds himself at the center of a brewing scandal involving a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit that has been evicted from Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa State. The dramatic eviction has sent shockwaves through both law enforcement and the local community, raising serious questions about the misuse of police resources and political influence.
The SWAT unit, led by CSP Silas Adebayo, allegedly transformed the 50-room hotel into an unofficial operational base since August 12, 2023. Deployed under controversial circumstances linked to Chief Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, the officers reportedly overstayed their welcome, accumulating a staggering debt of N625 million without settling any bills.
According to Euphemie Motel’s legal counsel, Inemoye Maxwell Brown, the financial breakdown is staggering: N25,000 per room per night, plus N100,000 daily for two conference rooms, all unpaid for over 13 months. Brown stated, “The police have left our client’s business in ruins, and restoration is essential for operations to resume.”
The hotel management claims that the SWAT team's presence not only crippled their business but also left the facilities in dire need of repair, prompting urgent calls for restoration. Following the eviction on October 3, 2024, Euphemie Motel has issued a formidable ultimatum, demanding the immediate payment of the N625 million debt within six weeks or face legal action against the IGP.
In a press statement, Brown emphasized, “We urge the IGP to settle this outstanding debt promptly to prevent further damage to his office’s reputation.” As public outrage grows, the spotlight is on Egbetokun. Critics are raising alarms about the political implications of deploying a heavily armed unit to occupy private property in a sensitive election period, suggesting a dangerous intertwining of law enforcement and politics.
Despite the mounting pressure, the police have yet to respond officially to the allegations surrounding the unpaid debts. However, insiders hint that Egbetokun’s swift decision to evacuate the SWAT team may be a calculated move to mitigate the fallout from this escalating scandal.
