The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday paid tribute to his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, describing his career in the Nigeria Police Force as one marked by professionalism, dedication and strong leadership.
Disu spoke at the pulling-out ceremony organised in honour of the retired police chief at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
During his remarks, Disu reflected on their early professional relationship while both officers served in Lagos State under the administration of President Bola Tinubu when he was governor of the state.
According to the police chief, their paths first crossed when Egbetokun served as Chief Security Officer to the Lagos State Governor while he served as Aide-de-Camp.
Disu said, “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 Tinubu, now President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was Governor.
“It was during that period that our professional paths intersected in a most memorable way.
“While IGP Egbetokun (retd.) 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.”
Disu noted that neither of them could have imagined at the time that Egbetokun would later become the Inspector-General of Police and that he would eventually succeed him in the same office.
He further stated, “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.”
The IGP highlighted Egbetokun’s steady rise through the ranks of the police force, serving in various operational, command and training roles across the country.
He noted that Egbetokun had commanded the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, handled Police Mobile Force operations and served as Area Commander in Osogbo and Gusau.
Disu also commended his contributions to police training and development, including his tenure as Commandant of the Police Training School in Ikeja and later as Deputy Commandant of the Police College in the same city.
According to him, Egbetokun’s leadership as Inspector-General of Police was guided by a vision to build a professional, service-oriented and people-friendly police force.
The police chief said Egbetokun introduced reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency, professionalism and public trust in policing.
He added that the former IGP emphasised intelligence-driven policing, strengthened training and reinforced institutional values such as discipline, accountability and service.
Disu said Egbetokun’s leadership style, marked by calmness, intellectual depth and strategic foresight, helped the Nigeria Police Force navigate complex security challenges.
Former IGP Highlights Reforms
In his own speech, Egbetokun outlined several reforms and institutional improvements implemented during his tenure.
He said efforts were made to reinforce professionalism, promote merit-based promotion and strengthen intelligence-led policing.
According to him, the Intelligence Bureau was expanded and upgraded to a full department headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, while the Legal and Medical units were elevated to directorate status.
Egbetokun also said the police cybercrime centre was upgraded into a sophisticated facility capable of monitoring Nigeria’s cyberspace and supporting modern investigations.
He added that the force improved its investigative capacity through enhancements to the National Criminal Database and expanded professional training across commands up to the divisional level.
The former police chief said the force expanded its operational presence by establishing additional Police Mobile Force squadrons, new Area Commands and Divisions.
He added that the Special Intervention Squad created during his tenure recorded notable successes across the country.
Egbetokun also noted improvements in police infrastructure, including the completion of barracks redevelopment projects in Kano and Kaduna and the commissioning of modern state command headquarters in Ogun and Adamawa states.
Egbetokun was appointed Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu. He resigned from office on February 24, paving the way for the appointment of Disu as his successor.
His continued stay in office had earlier generated controversy in 2024 after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 on September 4.
However, his tenure was extended following amendments to the Police Act.
