Egbetokun Bows Out As Police Chief, Highlights Key Reforms At Ceremonial Pull-Out Parade
After more than three decades in uniform, former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has formally retired from service, reflecting on the reforms and institutional changes he said strengthened the Nigeria Police Force during his tenure.
The former police chief spoke on Thursday at a colourful ceremonial pull-out parade organised in his honour by the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, marking the official end of his leadership as Nigeria’s 22nd indigenous inspector-general.
Addressing senior officers, security chiefs and invited guests, Egbetokun described leadership of the police as a continuous institutional responsibility rather than the achievement of a single individual.
“The office of the Inspector-General of Police represents a continual service and responsibility passed from one leadership to another in the collective interest of the force and the Nigerian people,” he said.
He paid tribute to former police chiefs whose dedication and sacrifices, he noted, helped shape the institution and strengthen its response to evolving security challenges across the country.
Egbetokun also expressed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him to lead the force, describing the role as one of the highest honours of his professional career.
Reflecting on his time in office, the retired police boss highlighted several reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism and operational capacity.
Among them was the expansion of the police intelligence bureau into a full department headed by a deputy inspector-general, as well as the elevation of the police legal and medical units to directorate status.
He noted that the force also strengthened its cybercrime centre to enhance digital investigations, improved the national criminal database and expanded officer training programmes.
Egbetokun further stated that the operational reach was widened through the creation of additional police mobile force squadrons, as well as new area commands and divisions, designed to bring policing closer to communities.
He also pointed to the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad, which he said recorded operational successes across the country.
The former police chief added that partnerships with international institutions opened opportunities for officers to undertake specialised training and scholarship programmes in countries such as the United States, Britain, China, Germany and the United Arab Emirates.
Infrastructure development also featured among his achievements, including redevelopment projects in Kano, Kaduna and Lagos, alongside the construction of new police headquarters complexes in Ogun and Adamawa states.
He described the Federal Government’s recognition of April 7 as National Police Day and legislation providing direct funding for police training institutions as important milestones during his leadership.
“These achievements were made possible by the dedication, professionalism and sacrifices of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force across all ranks,” Egbetokun said.
Speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, described his predecessor’s retirement as the conclusion of a distinguished policing career spanning more than three decades.
“The retirement of the 22nd Inspector-General of Police marks the formal conclusion of a distinguished policing career spanning over three and a half decades,” Disu said.
He noted that Egbetokun, who retired on February 25, 2026, joined the police in March 1990 as a cadet officer and rose through the ranks while serving in several operational and administrative roles.
Disu also highlighted Egbetokun’s academic background, including his doctorate in peace and security studies, which he said reflected the former police chief’s deep understanding of evolving security challenges.
Other dignitaries who delivered goodwill messages included former inspector-general Mike Okiro and traditional ruler Oba Ebenezer Alani Egunjobi.
The colourful ceremony featured a ceremonial review of the guard and drew senior government officials and members of Nigeria’s security leadership.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n
