My retirement came at the right time, says Ex-IGP Egbetokun

2026-03-15 - 08:16

By Kingsley Omonobi Former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has described his retirement from office as the fulfilment of God’s divine plan, saying it came at the right time. Egbetokun made the remark during a retirement thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Force Headquarters Chapel in Abuja. The event also featured the inauguration of the Police Chaplaincy building and was attended by senior police officers, clergy and other worshippers. Reflecting on his time in office, the former police chief said he never expected his appointment as Inspector-General in 2023, revealing that his first action after assuming office was to pray. “I was not expecting the appointment when it came. The first thing I did when I entered the office alone was to pray,” he said. Egbetokun disclosed that upon taking over the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, he offered three personal prayers to God—for wisdom to lead the institution effectively, the grace to end his tenure well, and not to remain in office beyond the time divinely allotted to him. “My first prayer was for wisdom to run the office, the second was for grace to end well, and the third was not to stay a day longer than God permits. I believe God has answered those prayers,” he said. Reflecting on his career in the police force, Egbetokun said faith played a significant role in his rise from his early days after graduating from the police academy to becoming the nation’s top police officer. He also recounted a dream he had before joining the force, in which he saw himself as a Deputy Inspector-General of Police travelling in a police vehicle bearing the registration number “NPF02,” an experience he said later taught him that life can unfold in unexpected ways. According to him, throughout his career he remained conscious that his actions could influence public perception of the police, a reality that guided his conduct while in office. “I knew whatever I did would affect the image of the force, so I made it my duty to remain professional and uphold integrity, transparency and fairness,” he said. In his remarks, the Force Chaplain, Joshua Omoyele, commended Egbetokun for completing the Police Chaplaincy building project during his tenure, describing it as a lasting legacy. Omoyele said the former police boss had demonstrated a strong commitment to Christian service even before his appointment as Inspector-General and maintained that devotion throughout his time in office. He also highlighted Egbetokun’s record in previous assignments, including his tenure as Commissioner of Police in Kwara State and Assistant Inspector-General in Zone 7. He further credited him with initiating the police force’s annual Christmas carol programme and expanding it across the country. The thanksgiving service served as both a reflection on Egbetokun’s years of service and a symbolic conclusion of his tenure, with the former police chief maintaining that his exit from office came neither too early nor too late, but exactly when it was meant to.