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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday paid tribute to his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, recalling their early professional association during the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as governor of Lagos State.
Disu made the remarks at a pulling-out ceremony held in honour of the retired police chief at the Force Headquarters, marking the end of Egbetokun’s decades-long career in the Nigeria Police Force.
In his address, the police chief described Egbetokun’s career as one defined by dedication, professionalism and leadership, highlighting his service as Chief Security Officer to the Lagos State Governor during Tinubu’s tenure.
Disu said it was during that period that their professional paths first crossed, as he served as Aide-de-Camp to the governor while Egbetokun was responsible for overseeing the governor’s security.
According to him, the experience created a working relationship built on responsibility and trust under demanding circumstances.
“At that time, neither of us could have imagined that years later destiny would place him at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force as Inspector-General of Police, and that I would have the honour of succeeding him in that office,” Disu said.
He noted that the development reflected how dedication and years of service sometimes align in unexpected ways.
Disu said Egbetokun rose steadily through the ranks, serving in several command and operational positions across the country.
He cited key roles held by the former police chief, including Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, leader of Police Mobile Force operations, and Area Commander in Osogbo and Gusau.
Disu also praised Egbetokun’s contributions to police training and institutional development, particularly his service as Commandant of the Police Training School and later Deputy Commandant of the Police College in Ikeja.
He said Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector-General was guided by a vision to build a professional, service-driven and rule-of-law-compliant police force.
According to him, the former police chief implemented reforms aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, improving professionalism and enhancing public confidence in policing.
Disu added that Egbetokun emphasised intelligence-driven policing while reinforcing discipline, accountability and personnel development across the Force.
In his own remarks, Egbetokun highlighted key reforms and institutional changes introduced during his time as police chief.
He said his administration expanded the Intelligence Bureau into a full department headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police and upgraded the Force’s Legal and Medical units to directorate status to improve efficiency.
The former IGP also noted that the police cybercrime centre was upgraded into a more advanced facility capable of monitoring activities in Nigeria’s cyberspace and supporting modern investigations.
He said the Force strengthened investigative capacity through improvements to the National Criminal Database and enhanced training for officers across various commands and divisions.
Egbetokun further stated that operational reach was expanded with the creation of additional Police Mobile Force squadrons, new Area Commands and Divisions, as well as the establishment of a Special Intervention Squad to tackle security threats nationwide.
He also pointed to improvements in police infrastructure, including barracks redevelopment projects in Kano and Kaduna, and the commissioning of modern command headquarters in Ogun State and Adamawa State.
Egbetokun was appointed Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu and stepped down on February 24, paving the way for Disu’s appointment.
His tenure attracted national attention in 2024 after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 on September 4 but remained in office following an amendment to the Police Act, which allowed him to complete his tenure.
