By Adewole Kehinde
Immediately after the National Leader of the All-Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu emerged as the winner of the All-Progressives Congress (APC)’s presidential primary on June 8, 2022, I knew he had already won the election, and what came to mind was that security should be his priority because the security situation in the country was getting out of hand.
Also, when the electoral commission, INEC, declared Bola Tinubu, the candidate of APC, as the winner of the April 26th presidential election, I said the next Inspector General of Police is coming from the South West, and my mind went straight to the then AIG Kayode Egbetokun, who was then AIG Zone 7.
I had the opportunity of meeting him when he visited the Federal Capital Territory Police Command on a familiarization visit on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. I saw intelligence, integrity, and self-awareness in him.
I had another opportunity to meet him when he represented former IGP Baba Usman Alkali during the commissioning of the Mabushi Police Station in the FCT on Wednesday, January 26, 2023. I also saw agility and respect in him.
So, when on Monday, June 19, 2023, a statement by Willie Bassey, Director, Information for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced the sack of service chiefs and Customs CG and saw DIG Kayode Egbetokun replacing Usman Alkali Baba in acting capacity pending his confirmation, I knew that Kayode Egbetokun has come to power and is going to make changes, no doubt.
Who is IGP Kayode Egbetokun? Ag. IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., was born on September 4, 1964, and hails from Egbado South LGA of Ogun State. He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP (Course 16) on March 3, 1990.
He possesses the following: Bsc (ED) (Hons) in Mathematics, from the University of Lagos; Msc Engineering Analysis, from the University of Lagos; Certification in electronic data processing and computer programming, all from the University of Lagos; Master in Business Administration from the Lagos State University, PGD Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, and Ph.D. Peace and Security Studies from Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State
Courses and Conferences attended include the Close Protection Course in the United Kingdom; Squadron Commander, Combat Ops Course at PMF Training College (Desert Camp Gwoza and Forest Camp lla); Advanced Detective Course, Police Staff College, Jos; Intermediate Command Course, Police Staff College, Jos; Strategic Leadership Course, Police Staff College, Jos; He attended the Global Conference on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats held in Lyon, France, in 2018; He is a member of the Society for Peace and Security Practice and a Scholar in Peace and Security Studies.
He has worked in various Commands, Formations, and Departments of the Police including Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Lagos State from 1999-2005; Commander RRS Lagos State Command 2005-2007; O/C Anti-Fraud, FCT Command Abuja; CSP Admin, Lagos State Command; Area Commander Osogbo – Osun State; Area Commander Gusau – Zamfara State; Commandant Police Training School (PTS) Ikeja Lagos State; Deputy Commandant Police College Ikeja Lagos State; Commissioner of Police Servicom Force Headquarters Abuja; Commissioner of Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) FHQ; Commissioner of Police Kwara State Command; Commissioner of Police Admin Medical Faloma Lagos State; AIG Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja and DIG Force Criminal Investigations Department, FHQ, Abuja.
On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the new acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was decorated by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House with his new rank.
The ceremony, which took place at 1 pm, had in attendance: the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma; the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and the immediate past IGP, Usman Alkali.
The new police chief, who spoke to journalists shortly afterward, said he feels “like a tiger ready to devour Nigeria’s internal enemies.”
No wonder there was jubilation at the Force Headquarters when the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, resumed office after being decorated by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
A large number of officers lined up at strategic positions to welcome the new IGP, whose convoy entered the Force Headquarters around 1 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.
It is my hope that IGP Kayode Egbetokun will tackle the major problem in Nigerian policing, which is communication.
Primary among the ever-recurring and persistent problems in the field of police management is that of developing and maintaining an effective system of communication.
Communication is the primary vehicle for bringing about agreement between all the members of a department as to the police’s objectives. It is the base for a common and continuing understanding of problems and accomplishments experienced in the day-to-day pursuits toward the objectives.
Congratulations to the Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Adewole Kehinde is the Publisher of Swift Reporters and is based in Abuja. He can be reached at 08166240846, or kennyadewole@gmail.com
