With a career that began some 34 years ago precisely on March 3, 1990 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kayode Egbetokun currently the Inspector General of Police, has certainly paid his dues. His emergence as the current number one police officer in a country of about 200 million people did not come by happenstance. It came largely by the grace of God and his outstanding commitment to duty since his enlistment.
Kayode Egbetokun, born on 4th September 1964 at Erinja in the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, was appointed the 22nd Inspector General of Police of Nigeria by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to replace Usman Alkali Baba on June 19, 2023. Prior to his enlistment ub the Nigeria Police Force, he had graduated from the University of Lagos, Akoka, with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in June 1987 and later obtained a Master’s degree in Engineering Analysis in 1996. He briefly lectured in Mathematics at the Yaba College of Technology before his enlistment in the Nigeria Police Force.
With so much enthusiasm for more knowledge, Egbetokun went on to receive a postgraduate diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University, Abraka in 2000 and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Lagos State University in 2004. He also received a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Peace and Security Studies from Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Since his enlistment, he has held several positions over the years, proving himself as a competent and dependable law enforcement officer. As a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), he was appointed the Chief Security Officer to Lagos State Governor. He was later made Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Police Command where he spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives aimed at curbing crime and fostering community engagement. He was Officer in Charge of Anti-Fraud Section, FCT Police Command, Abuja, Chief Superintendent of Police (Admin), Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Area Commander, Osogbo, Osun State Police Command, Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara State Police Command, Commandant, Police Training School, Ikeja, Lagos, Deputy Commandant, Police College Ikeja, Lagos, Commissioner of Police, SERVICOM, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Commissioner of Police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Force Headquarters, Abuja, Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command, Ilorin, Commissioner of Police, Medical Admin, Falomo, Lagos State, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, FCT, and Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja prior to his appointment as the Inspector General of Police in 2023.
Interestingly over the years, Egbetokun has attended several professional courses both home and abroad including Cadet Officers Course 16, 1990 at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano; Strategic Leadership and Effective Security/Safety Management Course at Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills, Jos, Squadron Commander Course, PMF Training College, Gwoza, Borno State, Combat Operation Course, PMF Training College, Ila Orangun, Osun State, Advance Detective Course (ADC), Police Staff College, Jos, Intermediate Command Course (ICC), Police Staff College, Jos, Strategic Leadership & Command Course (SLCC), Squadron Commander/Combat Operations Course, PMF Training College (Desert Camp Gwoza, Forest Camp Ila), Global Conference on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats, Lyon France, among others.
Fondly known as a game changer within the police parlance, IGP Egbetokun had assumed office with a mindset at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force for greater efficiency especially at this time of national insecurity challenge where all the security agencies are on their toes to create a safer Nigeria where bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and all other criminal elements would no longer have field day. Towards achieving success in the fight against criminals, the Nigeria Police under the leadership of Egbekotun has gone ahead to take the lead in setting up Special Intervention Squad (SIS) in some vulnerable states. The SIS is a new security initiative introduced to effectively respond to all forms of criminality across the country. The IGP has Identified about ten pilot states for establishment of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
Egbetokun had intended the Police Special Intervention Squad to be saddled with the responsibility of responding promptly to all security crises thereby ensuring total elimination of criminal activities in trouble areas. Selection of Squad members was based on commitment to duty. Their training makes it imperative that they would not be participating in any routine operation so as to effectively response to crises. A team of 25 trainers and instructors from various police colleges and training schools was carefully selected to embark on specialized training abroad. The mission is to give them relevant training in the Special Intervention Squad programme, an initiative aimed at equipping personnel with advanced skills and techniques for handling complex security challenges across the country.
Another sterling achievement of IGP Egbetokun is the Safe Schools Initiative. The Nigeria Police has commenced the deployment of technology in the operational activities of the School Protection Squad, as the Force has engaged technical partners who are already collaborating with the Police in this regard. Even though the effort is yet to yield the desired result particularly in the northern part of the country, the initiative has been a welcome development in other parts of the country.
The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun has achieved some milestone in the re-configuration of the Central Motor Registry (CMR), which has been automated and rolled out. It has revolutionised the police response to the challenge of stolen vehicles in the country. The platform affords Nigerians the opportunity to register their vehicles online, which improves the chances of recovering such vehicles if they get stolen. Interestingly within a short of revolutionizing the system, the CMR platform has witnessed a total registration of thousands of vehicles, out of which some hundreds of vehicles were found on the platform to have been reported stolen. The swift response of the CMR desk officers in conjunction with field operatives has led to the recovery of many of the stolen vehicles so far.
With so many other initiatives as the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun is undoubtedly carving a niche for himself as one of the top most police officers to bring about landmark achievements in their own time towards curbing criminality in the country.
Culled From The Book “Nigeria’s Silent Heroes By Odita Sunday
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