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Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday paid tribute to his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun on Thursday, adding that he never imagined he would one day lead the Nigeria Police Force.
Disu spoke at a pulling-out ceremony held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to mark Egbetokun’s retirement after decades of service in the police. In his remarks, the police chief recalled how their professional relationship began during the Bola Tinubu administration, when he served as governor of Lagos State.
Disu said Egbetokun worked as Chief Security Officer to the governor at the Lagos State Government House at the time, while he served as the governor’s Aide-de-Camp.
He explained that both officers worked closely together to ensure the safety of the governor and the state government during what he described as demanding circumstances.
According to Disu, neither of them could have imagined that years later, Egbetokun would become Inspector-General of Police and eventually succeed him in the same position.
He said the development reflects how years of service and dedication sometimes align in unexpected ways.
“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,” he said.
The IGP noted that Egbetokun rose steadily through the ranks during his career, serving in several operational and command positions across the country.
He said some of the roles held by the retired police chief, including commanding the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, leading Police Mobile Force operations, and serving as Area Commander in Osogbo and Gusau.
Disu also praised Egbetokun’s contributions to police training and capacity building, noting that he served as Commandant of the Police Training School in Ikeja and later as Deputy Commandant of the Police College, also in Ikeja.
Egbetokun, who was appointed Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, stepped down on February 24, paving the way for Disu’s appointment.
His continued stay in office had earlier generated debate in 2024 after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September, but his tenure was extended following an amendment to the Police Act.
