Egbetokun Urges Successor to Sustain Police Reforms, Continue Security Initiatives

The immediate past Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called on the newly appointed Acting IGP, Tunji Disu, to sustain the ongoing reforms and build upon the security architecture established during his administration.

Speaking in Abuja shortly after the new police chief assumed duties, Egbetokun expressed confidence in his successor's ability to continue the work they had started together, noting that Disu was no stranger to the system.

Egbetokun recalled that the Acting IGP had worked closely with him from the beginning of his tenure, serving in several key capacities including as his Directing Staff Officer, Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and later as Assistant Inspector General in charge of the Special Protection Unit.

He specifically highlighted Disu's decisive role in enforcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection duties.

"My advice to the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police is that he should continue to show commitment to the things we have been doing," Egbetokun stated. "He has been part of my administration; he was my PSO, he was CP of Rivers and FCT. He was the AIG in charge of my SPU. When the presidential order was given to withdraw police from VIPs, it was Tunji Disu that I called upon to ensure full compliance and he did it effectively."

The outgoing police chief expressed satisfaction with the appointment, saying, "I am happy that he is the one that is taking over from me."

He outlined key initiatives he expected the new leadership to continue, including the restructuring of intelligence coordination, dismantling of criminal networks, and improvements to the interagency deployment model.

Egbetokun emphasised that his successor was fully conversant with the internal restructuring of intelligence coordination and the improved intelligence deployment model introduced during his period in office. He expressed confidence that the ongoing dismantling of criminal syndicates across the country would continue under the new leadership.

In his response, the Acting Inspector General described his appointment as emotional and unexpected. He thanked President Tinubu for finding him worthy of the position, noting that the President's detailed reference to his career record during the announcement almost moved him to tears.

Disu said the President's remarks demonstrated close monitoring of officers nationwide and interpreted his appointment as a challenge to deliver peace, recognition, and calm across the country.