On the
evening of June 19, President Bola Tinubu made a significant announcement,
appointing his
former Chief Security Officer (CSO), DIG Egbetokun Olukayode, as
the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP). This news came as a surprise,
considering that just three months earlier, the Police Service Commission (PSC)
had approved Egbetokun’s appointment as a Deputy Inspector General of Police,
representing the South-West geopolitical zone of the country, as reported by
The Punch.
DIG
Egbetokun stepped into the position previously held by DIG Johnson Babatunde
Kokumo, who had retired from the police force on March 15 of that year,
according to a report by PM News. The director of information in the office of
the Secretary-General to the Federation (SGF), Willie Bassey, released an
official statement disclosing the appointment of Egbetokun as the new IG.
In light of
this development, several interesting facts emerged about the newly appointed
acting IGP. Here are six key things to know about DIG Egbetokun Olukayode:
- Egbetokun had previously served
as the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, showcasing his experience
and familiarity with the complexities of managing law enforcement in a
populous and diverse region. - He replaced Usman Baba in his
new role as the acting Inspector General of Police. - Egbetokun’s association with
President Tinubu dates back to 1999 when he was appointed as the Chief
Security Officer during Tinubu’s tenure as the Governor of Lagos State.
This longstanding relationship underscores the trust and confidence placed
in him by the President. - Throughout his career, Egbetokun
held various key positions within the police force. He served as the
Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos and held the positions of
Squadron Commander in Mopol 5, Benin City, Officer-in-Charge of the
Anti-Fraud Unit in the FCT Command in Abuja, Chief Superintendent of
Police in Administration at the Lagos State Command Headquarters in Ikeja,
Area Commander in Osogbo, Osun State Command, and Area Commander in Gusau,
Zamfara State Command, among others. These roles have equipped him with a
diverse range of experiences and a deep understanding of law enforcement
operations. - Notably, Egbetokun’s academic
background differs from that of a typical police officer. He graduated
from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, in June 1987, with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Prior to joining the police
force, he briefly lectured in Mathematics at Yaba College of Technology,
Lagos. His mathematical background brings a unique perspective to his role
as the acting IGP. - Egbetokun’s pursuit of knowledge
didn’t stop with his bachelor’s degree. He went on to earn a Master of
Science degree in Engineering Analysis from UNILAG. Additionally, he holds
a Postgraduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University,
Abraka, and an MBA from Lagos State University, Ojo. These academic
achievements demonstrate his commitment to continuous learning and
professional growth.
Prior to his
appointment as the acting Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun had been
serving as the Deputy Inspector General representing the South West zone in the
police management team. This experience undoubtedly positions him well to lead
the Nigerian police force and navigate the challenges faced in the country’s
law enforcement landscape.
