IGP Disu Honours Retiring Police Chief Egbetokun at Abuja Ceremony

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday paid tribute to his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, at a ceremonial pulling-out parade held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, marking the retirement of the former police chief after decades of service in the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking during the ceremony, Disu reflected on their long professional relationship, which began during the administration of Bola Tinubu when he served as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. According to him, Egbetokun served as Chief Security Officer to the governor at the time, while he worked as Aide-de-Camp, a period he described as formative for both officers.

Disu noted that neither of them could have predicted that years later Egbetokun would rise to lead the police force, and that he himself would eventually succeed him as Inspector-General.

The current police chief described Egbetokun’s career as one defined by professionalism, discipline and strategic leadership. He recalled that the retired officer served in various operational and administrative roles, including leading the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, commanding Police Mobile Force operations and serving as Area Commander in Osogbo and Gusau.

He also highlighted Egbetokun’s contributions to police training, particularly his time as Commandant of the Police Training School in Ikeja and later Deputy Commandant of the Police College in the same city.

During his tenure as Inspector-General, Disu said, Egbetokun focused on strengthening professionalism, improving operational efficiency and promoting intelligence-driven policing within the force. The reforms, he added, were aimed at building a more service-oriented and accountable police institution.

In his remarks, Egbetokun outlined several initiatives undertaken during his leadership, including the expansion of the Intelligence Bureau into a full department headed by a Deputy Inspector-General and the upgrade of the Legal and Medical units to directorate status. He also pointed to improvements in the National Criminal Database and the development of the police cybercrime centre to support modern investigations.

The former police chief further cited the creation of additional Police Mobile Force squadrons, new area commands and divisions, as well as the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad to strengthen security operations nationwide.

Egbetokun was appointed Inspector-General in June 2023 by President Tinubu. His tenure generated public debate in 2024 after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, but remained in office following amendments to the Police Act before eventually stepping down in February 2026.

The ceremony formally marked the end of his service career and the transition of leadership to Disu, who now oversees the country’s top policing institution.