IGP Kayode Egbetokun: Patriotism in the Face of Adversity.

By Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

Patriotism is a personal conviction; a patriot is always ready to risk everything to defend his country against any form of intrusion or any aggression, both internally or externally that may have negative impact on the country, though Nigeria as a country is experiencing some challenges, but there are some patriots who stand out and are ready to give everything to ensure not just safety of the people but enhance a peaceful atmosphere where the nation will prosper, democracy and good governance will thrive and the populace will enjoy the real dividend of democracy.

One of such men with undiluted patriotism and commitment to the Nigerian project is Mr Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria’s 22nd Inspector General of Police (IGP).

IGP Egbetokun, a brave and courageous security and police strategist who gained enlistment into the prestigious Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) on 3rd March 1990, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the year 1999.

IGP Kayode Egbetokun was also the Chief Security Officer (CS0) to the then elected governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President of Nigeria and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

With a resolute determination to defend the territorial integrity and everything about Nigeria, he rose to the position of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) after serving and rising through the ranks .

He has served as the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Lagos State Command, Squadron Commander, MOPOL, Anti Fruad Unit, Federal Capital Territory Command Abuja, Chief Superintendent of Police Administration, Lagos State Command, Area Commander, Osogbo, Osun State, Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara State etc.

Here is an IGP who came at one of the most difficult time in Nigeria’s history when the internal enemies are now collaborating with the external actors to undermine the nation’s security architecture, sponsoring terror, wasting lives, promoting violent crimes and attempting to undermine the Nigerian State with the instumentality of propaganda,.fake news and false narratives.

Upon Mr Kayode Egbetokun appointment as the IGP and the leader of the internal security operations in the Country and within almost two years in office he has been able to douse the tension in the Country by leading the Nigeria Police Force from the front by dealing seriously and decisively with all criminals and animals in human form and have been able restore peace and normalcy to most troubled part of the Country. The Nigeria Police Force under his command have been able to support other sister security agencies to retake and liberate our lost territories, and various internally displaced persons have been able to go back to their ancestral homes.

This intellectually mobile Inspector General of Police in a paper he delivered at the University of Ibadan 2024 Convocation Lecture, the IGP gave an insight on how, he has use the opportunity of his leadership position to influence positive changes in the Nigeria Police Force, he reiterated that the our Police have continued to found goals. In his lecture, he also emphasize the integral role of citizens in the pursuit of national development. He condescend the importance of collaborative effort between security agencies, the government and the citizens, stating that a stable society is essential for sustainable growth. In the said lecture, the IGP called upon the citizens to enhance their constitutional duties, urging them to foster a culture of integrity, patriotism and civility.

This IGP has focused on modernizing the Nigeria Police Force capabilities and adapting to the ever evolving nature of internal security. He has continued to spearhead initiatives to enhance training programmes, improve equipment and promote innovation within ranks, These efforts not only bolstered the NPF’s operational readiness but also ensured the safety and security of our Nation.

Apart from his excellent achievements in combating all criminal elements who have attempted to create a state within the Nigerian state.

IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s commitment to enhancing the capacity of the NPF afforded him the opportunity to set an unprecedented record as the IGP who has continued to use his tenure to boost Nigeria Police Force’s personnel welfare and have facilitated many legacy projects for the Nigeria Police, some of which includes but not limited, to the establishment of Nigeria Police Resource Center, the establishment of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrimes Center (NPF- NCCC), the Force Intelligence Building, establishment of the Force Public Relations School, establishment of the Police Intelligence School located in Share, Kwara State, the establishment of the Evidence/Exhibit Storage Facilities and most importantly the acquisition of newly acquired assets for the Police, which included, operational vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, drones, gun trucks etc.

Also in terms of personnel welfare, IGP Kayode Egbetokun have been able to excel where many others have failed, one of the laudable achievement of the IGP was the presentation of a total of ₦9.85 Billion ( Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) to the families of deceased officers under the Group Life Assurance Scheme, also is the establishment of the IGP family welfare scheme, among other various innovations have been the lot of IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

IGP Kayode Egbetokun did not enjoy smooth ride, through his journey of life, right from the childhood till he was appointed IGP by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023. His adversaries did not want him to grow and succeed in his undertakings as we have seen recently, with the activities of some certain highly partisan individuals, however, in spite of his and that of the NPF’s various victories, the theatre of war appeared this time to the types that mocks victory. The attritional self destructive ventures of some insignificant few, expecially some partisan characters, who masquerade as civil society activist, who have no idea of how the Police operates, this individuals persistently called for his head, they wanted him forcefully removed from office without providing a credible alternative means of combating the various internal security issues facing Nigeria, that this IGP and his personnel have tackled and have also continued to stay on top of their game, the giant strides of the Nigeria Police Force, under IGP Egbetokun rather than draw favourable reports from these characters, sadly this individuals and their sponsors would rather engage in a campaign of calumny against IGP Kayode Egbetokun. But through the dint of hard work, patriotism, selflessness and coupled with his absolute faith in the Almighty God, he has continued to emerged victorious against his adversaries.

Of serious concerns is the activities of a certain Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of a blackmailing entity by the sobriquet ” Sahara reporters”, this hired machinery have continued to employ the use of falsehood, fake news and wicked propaganda in perpetuating lies, unfounded reports and publications against the Nigerian Security Agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force and it’s Inspector General, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, especially on classified operations of the NPF in internal security operations across the Country. There’s an indication of a strong sinister motive to undermine our nation’s security policies by some external influence using some Nigerians as willing tools. One tends to believe that Omoyele Sowore is one of the few individuals employed by this foreign interest to engage in subterfuge and sabotage against the Nigerian State.

While broadcasting is meant to positively influence the society, set agenda for the social, cultural, political and technological development of the society for the public good. One is also aware that the responsibility of any broadcaster is to inform, educate and entertain it’s audience, but not at the expense of national security and interest, unity and cohesion of Nigeria’s incredible diversity.

It’s becoming clearer to most Nigerians that Omoyele Sowore and his sponsors are on a deliberate mission to sabotage our national security policies by tacitly using his platform of sahara reporters to initiate frivolous lies and unfounded accusations against IGP, Kayode Egbetokun and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force with a view to cause aparty between the Nigerian People and it’s Police Force.

But the good news is that today, the template which IGP Kayode Egbetokun is laying for the NPF, which made him to face the challenges, where he has continued to defeat the various enablers of violent crimes in the Country and all other enemies of Nigeria, is not only effective. But, surely this is a template that’ll be adopted by all other subsequent leadership of the Nigeria Police Force because of its effectiveness. His various subordinates across the sub nationals have also continued on this part of greatness in bringing more lofty achievements, innovations and dynamism into the operational effectiveness of the NPF.

The Nigeria Police Force have continued to regain it’s rightful place as the pride of the black nation.

IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s patriotism and genuine service to the nation have been widely acknowledged and this has brought forth a lot of acknowledgement, honours, laurels and awards to him both locally and internationally.

His contributions to nation building especially in promotion of peace, religious harmony and culture is also acknowledged by Nigerians across all creed.

On the tenure of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the nation’s Chief Law Officer, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi has clarified that the continuous stay of Mr Kayode Egbetokun in Office is legal and constitutional contrary to some manupulative assertion by some insidious characters. The Minster of Justice reiterated that an amendment to the Police Act have secured a Four Year term for the occupants of the Inspector General of Police Office. This position of law is clear an not ambiguous.

Here is an Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, who came now, when his Country, Nigeria, needed him most. A loyal IGP to his Country and a loyal IGP to his Commander in Chief.

This article was contributed by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, an entrepreneur, a civil society activist is the Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria.