Egbetokun says exit as IGP came at right time

By Goli Innocent

Former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said his retirement from the Nigeria Police Force came at the right moment, describing his exit from office as part of a divine plan rather than the end of a career.

Speaking during a retirement thanksgiving service at the Force Headquarters Chapel in Abuja, the former police chief reflected on his time in office and the circumstances surrounding his appointment as the nation’s top cop.

Egbetokun said he never anticipated his appointment when it came in 2023, adding that his first action after entering the Inspector-General’s office was to say a prayer.

According to him, he committed his tenure into God’s hands, asking for wisdom to lead the police institution effectively, the grace to conclude his service honourably, and the discipline not to remain in office longer than necessary.

The retired police boss said those prayers guided his decisions while in office, noting that every action taken by the Inspector-General carries weight because it reflects directly on the image of the police.

He maintained that professionalism, transparency and fairness remained central to his leadership approach, stressing that maintaining public confidence in the police was always a major consideration throughout his tenure.

Egbetokun’s thanksgiving service also featured the inauguration of a new Police Chaplaincy building, a project completed during his leadership and described by church officials as one of the enduring legacies of his time at the helm of the force.