By Tunde Adegbite
In spite the criticisms that had trailed Kayode Egbetokun, the Ogun state born Inspector General of Police, IGP, reforms, that had addressed the indiscriminate case transfers, misuse of police authority in civil matters and frivolous petitions, it has taken the Force to another level.
The landmark decisions, according to security experts had improved transparency, accountability and professionalism of the officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, an indication that the future of the NPF, looks smatter, faster, more trusted and unapologetic ally people-focused, which had been the dream of President Tinubu.
Given his exposure ,IGP, Egbetokun, who had taken the NGF, to a level where officers and men of the Force , could compete with the United Kingdom, UK, French and the North American country of the United States, US, , police personnel, h, has a believe that policing in Nigeria could be much better if police personnel are transparent , show high level of accountability and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities of maintaining law and order in the society as obtained in other parts of the world.
As part of the force reforms that had been embarked upon by IGP Egbetokun, in the last two years, he was said to have taken the bold initiative to make the Force more responsible to their operations by urging them to operate within the ambits of the Law and not to use their privileged position in the society to intimidate and abuse defenseless Nigerians they are paid to protect.
The Civic Alliance For Security Accountability, CASA, described those attacking the IGP, as a tool of President Tinubu, as mischief makers who are out ‘’to derail the ongoing reforms and create instability in the Force’’. The CASA, President
Charles Egbnike, CASA, President, who had followed the IGP, polices since he mounted the saddle last August, had said that the police reforms that had been embarked upon by IGP, Egbetokun was aimed at ‘’sanitizing the system’’. Describing the Police Chief as a clean and efficient officer who knows his onions, the CASA, helmsman had said that the IGP, had come under attack for embarking on the Police reforms because ‘’laziness and unprofessionalism’’ have no pace under his administration.
Given an insider information as a retired senior Cop, he had said that IGP. Egbetokun, Leadership style, are reshaping the Force for the better as he has ‘’set a new standard in the country’s policing’’ and stays late in office to treat all official files, on his table on a daily basis.
Many believes that there is no difference between the IGP Leadership style and the Customs boss, described as a man full of ideas to run the affairs of the service.
Last Wednesday, June 5, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had supported the IGP, reforms, had issued a stern warning to the Force operatives ‘’to shun intimidation and abuse of the citizens they have sworn to protect’’.
The Nigerian President who could not hide his feelings was said to have made the officers and men of the NPF, to understand that the power vested in them is not abuse the citizenry but must be used responsibly and in the service of the nation.
He was said to have also stressed the need for accountability and professionalism within the Force, which IGP, Egbetokun, had pursued since he assumed office, in 2023.
President Tinubu, who was said to have made feelings known at the 2nd Annual IGP’S Award and Commendation Ceremony held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, through Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom state and now Senate President, had charged the policemen ‘’to uphold the Rule of Law, protect the rights of every Nigerian and reject all forms of misconduct and corruption, which had been the sing song of the IGP.
The IGP, may have taken advantage of the Force Award and Commendation event to speak on the renewed threats of terrorism, in the north eastern states of Borno, Yobe and rising militant activities in the north western states of Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states.
He was said to have also acknowledged the threats of cybercrime, kidnapping and other organized crime across the country and how the Force, had adapted and embraced innovation, digital intelligence and global best practices, like the sister agency, Nigeria Customs Service, under the close watch of Bashir Adewale Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, to address the crimes.
He may have shocked Nigerians when he declared that ‘’no single agency can secure Nigeria in isolation’’. This is may have informed why the IGP, had paid much attention to inter-agency collaboration like Adeniyi, the Customs Comptroller General, CGC, to achieve results in the service core mandate of Trade Facilitation, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling operations at the nation’s seaports and Land border stations across the country.
