The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, on Thursday described the immediate past IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun, as one who brought clarity of purpose and strategic leadership to policing in the country.
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Disu said this at the official pullout parade in honour of the 22nd indigenous IGP Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The event attracted a distinguished gathering of senior government officials, retired Inspectors-General of Police, including Mike Okiro and Ogbonna Onovo, members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, heads of sister security agencies, traditional rulers, as well as serving and retired police officers and members of the press.
Guided by his vision, Disu said his administration pursued reforms aimed at strengthening operational efficiency, enhancing professionalism, improving personnel development, and deepening public trust in policing.
Disu said Egbetokun emphasized intelligence-driven policing, strengthened training and capacity building, and reinforced the institutional values of discipline, accountability, and service.
“Beyond the operational reforms, his leadership style reflected calmness, intellectual depth, and strategic foresight; qualities that helped guide the Nigeria Police Force through complex security challenges,” he added.
The IGP went further, “Today is a deeply significant day in the history of the Nigeria Police Force. We gather here not merely to observe a ceremonial tradition but to celebrate the remarkable career and enduring legacy of an officer whose service to this nation and to this institution has been defined by dedication, professionalism, and exemplary leadership.
“This Pulling Out Parade in honour of the 22nd Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, fspsp, marks the formal conclusion of a distinguished policing career spanning over three and a half decades. His retirement on 25th of February, 2026, brings to a close a professional journey that has left an indelible imprint on the Nigeria Police Force.
“Born on the 4th of September, 1964, in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, IGP (Dr.) Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun (rtd) has distinguished himself not only as a dedicated Police Officer but also as an accomplished scholar and strategist. His intellectual pursuit of knowledge, which culminated in a Doctorate in Peace and Security Studies, reflects his deep appreciation of the evolving nature of security challenges and the importance of informed leadership in addressing them.
“His career in the Nigeria Police Force began in March 1990 when he enlisted as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. From those early days, it was evident that he possessed both the discipline and foresight required for leadership in policing.
“Like any officer who has risen through the ranks with distinction, his journey through the Force took him across various operational and administrative assignments that broadened his experience and strengthened his understanding of policing in Nigeria.
“A defining chapter in his professional life was his service in Lagos State Government House, where he served as Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Lagos State, at a time when His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was Governor.
“It was during that period that our own professional paths intersected most memorably. While IGP Egbetokun (Rtd) served as Chief Security Officer to the Governor, I had the honour of serving as Aide-de-Camp to the same Governor. Working together under demanding circumstances, we shared the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of the Governor and the Government of Lagos State.
“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. It is indeed one of those remarkable coincidences of history that reminds us how the threads of service sometimes weave themselves across time in unexpected ways.”
Over the course of his career, the IGP said Egbetokun continued to rise through the ranks, serving in various command, operational, and training capacities across the country.
Disu said, “Egbetokun assumed leadership of the Nigeria Police Force at a time when policing globally and particularly in Nigeria was undergoing significant transformation. His tenure was defined by a clear vision: the development of a professionally competent, service-driven, rule-of-law-compliant, and people-friendly police force.
“Throughout his career, Dr. Egbetokun has remained a firm believer in the power of knowledge and professional development. His academic accomplishments and participation in numerous professional courses both within and outside Nigeria speak to his lifelong commitment to learning and excellence. It is therefore not surprising that he stands today not only as a distinguished police officer but also as a respected scholar in the field of peace and security studies”.
As he formally bows out of active service today, Disu told the former IGP he does so with honour, dignity, and the admiration of his colleagues and the gratitude of a nation he served faithfully.
He said, “While he may be stepping away from the uniform, the legacy of his leadership and the impact of his service will continue to resonate within the Nigeria Police Force for many years to come”.
Addressing the gathering, Egbetokun reflected on his tenure, saying: “Leadership of the Nigerian police force is therefore never the story of one individual, but the unfolding story of an institution in constant service to the nation”.
He emphasized that the progress of the force is a result of collective effort, professionalism, and institutional continuity.
Egbetokun advised Disu to lead the NPF to the next level.
During his address, Egbetokun highlighted key milestones achieved under his leadership, including: Strengthening institutional processes and operational capacity to respond to contemporary security challenges; Upgrading the Intelligence Bureau to a full department headed by a Deputy Inspector-General; Elevating the legal and medical units to directorate status for improved efficiency; Expanding the Cyber Crime Centre to enhance nationwide investigations; Establishing additional police mobile squadrons, area commands, and divisions to bring policing closer to communities; and Creating the Special Intervention Squad, which recorded notable operational successes across the country.
Egbetokun also pointed to infrastructural achievements, noting the completion of police headquarters in Kano and Kaduna, commissioning of modern facilities in Ogun and Adamawa, and the federal government’s approval for police colleges to run academic programs leading to national diplomas.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Honorable Minister of Police Affairs, the leadership of the National Assembly, sister security agencies, local and international partners, and his family for their support throughout his career.
“Though I may leave active duty, my respect, loyalty, and commitment to this great institution will remain unwavering. Service to the Nigerian police force is not merely a profession, but a lifelong calling,” he said, urging his successor to continue advancing the force and building on the reforms and achievements of his tenure.
Okiro said Egetokun has served the nation well, urging the new IGP Disu to complete projects embarked upon by the immediate past IGP.
Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Hashimu Argungu, urged the present IGP to allow his actions to speak for him.
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