Kayode Egbetokun, the Acting Inspector General of Police, has officially assumed the position as the 22nd IG, taking over from his predecessor, Usman Baba.
The Handing/Taking Over Ceremony took place at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters in Abuja, where Baba formally handed over to Egbetokun on Wednesday.
On the same day, Vice President Kashim Shettima decorated Egbetokun at the Presidential Villa.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu had appointed Egbetokun as the acting IG, replacing Usman Alkali Baba.
This decision was announced in a statement by the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary-General to the Federation, Willie Bassey.
As part of the changes, the President also approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs, Advisers, and the Comptroller-General of Customs, along with their immediate replacements.
Egbetokun brings extensive experience to his new role, having previously served as the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State. In 1999, he was appointed as the Chief Security Officer to President Tinubu during his tenure as the governor of Lagos State.
During the Handing/Taking Over Ceremony, Egbetokun expressed his commitment to securing the nation and emphasized the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication to excellence, transparency, and accountability to the citizens.
Recognizing the need for improvements in policing, Egbetokun acknowledged the significant responsibility that comes with his appointment.
He outlined his plans, which include a technology-driven approach and the utilization of various techniques to ensure the effective and efficient use of resources. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of supporting police officers’ physical and psychological well-being and implementing programs to strengthen their skills and resilience.
Highlighting community policing as a priority, Egbetokun aims to enhance the force’s intelligence-gathering capabilities.
He called for cooperation and teamwork while promising a transparent and integrity-driven administration.
Egbetokun appealed to Nigerians to collaborate with the police in combating criminal activities. Furthermore, he expressed his intent to foster stronger inter-agency collaboration and deepen the use of technology to ensure internal security.