Former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has described his time leading the Nigeria Police Force as the greatest honour of his professional career.
Egbetokun made the remark on Thursday in Abuja during a ceremonial pullout parade organised in recognition of his service to the police force.
According to him, the position of Inspector-General represents a continuous chain of service and responsibility that moves from one leader to another for the benefit of the institution and the Nigerian people.
He noted that the story of the Nigeria Police Force is not about any single individual but about an enduring institution committed to serving the nation.
Reflecting on his tenure, Egbetokun said his administration implemented several reforms aimed at strengthening institutional processes and improving the operational effectiveness of the police in addressing modern security challenges.
He explained that efforts were made to promote professionalism, ensure merit-based advancement, enhance intelligence-driven policing, and expand operational capacity across the force.
Among the reforms introduced during his tenure was the expansion of the Intelligence Bureau into a full department headed by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police. He added that the Legal and Medical Units were also upgraded to directorate status to improve efficiency.
Egbetokun further stated that the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre was developed into a more advanced facility capable of monitoring cyberspace and supporting modern investigative operations.
He also highlighted improvements to the national criminal database and increased professional training for officers across commands and divisions nationwide.
According to him, the operational presence of the police was expanded with the creation of additional Police Mobile Force squadrons, new Area Commands, and divisions to bring policing closer to communities.
He added that the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad contributed to several successful operations across the country.
The former police chief also emphasised the importance of community engagement and partnerships with international allies, noting that countries including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Egypt, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates supported the force with training opportunities and other forms of cooperation during his leadership.
Speaking at the event, the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the pullout parade as an important moment for the Nigeria Police Force.
He said the ceremony was organised not merely as a tradition but as a tribute to Egbetokun’s long-standing service and contributions to the force.
Disu noted that the former police chief’s retirement on February 25 marked the end of a policing career that spanned more than three decades, leaving a lasting impact on the Nigeria Police Force.
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