By Comrade Olufemi Lawson
On June 19, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a critical decision that would go on to reshape the trajectory of Nigeria’s internal security architecture. He appointed IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, as the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), entrusting him with the enormous responsibility of leading the Nigeria Police Force at a time of immense national security challenges and a dwindling public trust in law enforcement. Two years later, that decision is proving to be one of the most consequential acts of the administration’s renewed hope agenda in the security sector.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun did not emerge from obscurity. He is a product of diligence, discipline, and deep-rooted commitment to professional excellence. A Mathematics graduate turned police officer, IGP Egbetokun holds a PhD in Peace and Security Studies, with a career spanning over three decades across multiple commands and departments of the Nigeria Police Force. From his early days as Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Lagos State, to his effective roles in zonal commands, intelligence, operations, and policy, he has consistently distinguished himself as a reform-minded officer.
Since assuming office as Inspector General of Police, IGP Egbetokun has undertaken a pragmatic and far-reaching reform strategy that has begun to reposition the Force as a people-centred, accountable, and modern policing institution. One of the hallmarks of his leadership has been the redefinition of internal discipline and ethical policing. Under his stewardship, the police have undergone internal cleansing with the entrenchment of integrity policing, an initiative that ensures that personnel not only uphold the law but do so with honour and respect for human dignity.
He has strengthened the Police Complaints Response Unit and expanded internal mechanisms for monitoring and addressing rights violations, while enforcing zero tolerance for impunity among officers. These actions have not only led to an increase in disciplinary cases being addressed but also improved citizens’ confidence in reporting abuse.
No leader succeeds without the support of their followers, and the loyalty IGP Egbetokun enjoys from his officers is deeply rooted in his sincere commitment to welfare, capacity building, and professional development. Within two years, he has supervised the largest training reactivation programme for men and officers across commands, covering areas such as forensic investigation, digital surveillance, community policing, and counter-terrorism.
Police barracks across many states have witnessed rehabilitation, while officers now enjoy better insurance schemes and allowances, benefits that many had long been denied. The recruitment of new officers and the equipping of the Police Training Schools reflect Egbetokun’s foresight in building a sustainable, professional force for the future.
Additionally, the introduction of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), created to respond swiftly to high-risk criminal activities, and the strategic redeployment of logistics and operational equipment to underserved areas, demonstrate the IGP’s proactive approach to ensuring nationwide policing efficiency.
Another cornerstone of IGP Egbetokun’s leadership is the institutionalisation of transparency and accountability. He has prioritised regular public briefings, established open channels for feedback from civil society, and revived engagements with citizens. This is often seen in the proactiveness of the Force Public Relations Unit, headed by the very versatile Muyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Egbetokun’s leadership has recorded a decline in arbitrary detentions, and there is an improved culture of respecting suspects’ rights, supported by regular human rights compliance audits across divisions. His administration has also embraced partnerships with international and local civil society organisations, fostering a collaborative approach to security and justice.
Like many reformers in the public space, IGP Egbetokun’s tenure has not been without challenges. Over the last two years, he has been the target of coordinated smear campaigns, many of which have emanated from vested interests uncomfortable with his reform agenda within the Force. From faceless petitions to false allegations published in sections of the media, the intention has been to derail his mission.
But the IGP has remained undaunted, refusing to be distracted. His quiet but firm resolve has only earned him greater respect among officers and citizens who see in him a man of vision, character, and resilience.
While great strides have been made, the journey is far from over. Nigerians still yearn for a Police Force that is fully professional, civil in conduct, and capable of dismantling the complex criminal networks threatening national security. There remains an urgent need to improve police-community relations, especially through the deepening of community policing strategies and active engagement of local stakeholders.
In the area of anti-corruption, while reforms have been commendable, Nigerians expect firmer institutional action to root out extortion at checkpoints, abuse of bail processes, and exploitation of victims seeking justice.
No matter how visionary the leadership of the IGP is, without adequate financial and logistical support from the Federal Government, the Force cannot function optimally. Funding remains a major constraint. Police stations still grapple with a lack of patrol vehicles, communication tools, and forensic equipment. With the mounting security pressures of banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and cultism, the Nigeria Police Force needs urgent and sustained investments in technology, intelligence gathering, and operational logistics.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration must therefore prioritise the Police Reform Trust Fund and ensure budgetary releases are timely and adequate. Security, after all, remains the bedrock of national development.
In just two years, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has shown that with the right leadership, vision, and integrity, the Nigeria Police Force can be repositioned to fulfil its constitutional duty. He has rekindled hope, restored dignity to the uniform, and reconnected the Police with the Nigerian people.
As the nation continues to navigate complex security challenges, we must rally behind the leadership of the Inspector General of Police. Civil society, the media, and especially the federal government must continue to support the institutional strengthening of the Police. For in doing so, we secure not only law and order but the future of our democracy.
Comrade Olufemi Lawson is a Public Affairs Analyst & Advocate for Police Reform, Writes from Lagos.
