In an important show of institutional unity, the Committee of Retired Inspectors-General of Police paid a solidarity visit to the incumbent Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Tuesday at the Force Headquarters.
The high-profile gathering, held at Louis Edet House, brought together several generations of police leadership to discuss the current trajectory of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the sustainability of ongoing internal reforms.
A Legacy of Support
The delegation of included notable figures such as retired IGPs present at the meeting include IGP Aliyu Attah (RTD) GCON, CFR, NPM, mni; IGP Sunday Ehindero (RTD) NPM, fwc; IGP Mike Okiro (RTD) CFR, NPM, mni; IGP Ogbonna Onovo (RTD) OON, NPM, mni; IGP Suleiman Abba (RTD) CFR, NPM, mni, and IGP M.D. Abubakar (RTD) PhD, CFR, NPM, mni. Their presence served as a formal endorsement of the current administration’s strategic direction.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, IGP M.D. Abubakar (Rtd) expressed high regard for the visible progress made under Egbetokun’s watch.
“We commend the progress achieved thus far and encourage the incumbent to sustain this momentum,” Abubakar stated. “We also call on all officers of the Force to give their full support to the IGP in these reform-oriented initiatives.”
Two Years of Reform
During the session, IGP Egbetokun provided a comprehensive briefing on the structural and welfare milestones reached over the past two years. Key highlights of his report included:
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Institutional Upgrades: The elevation of the Intelligence Unit to a full Department, and the transition of Legal and Medical Units into Directorates.
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Operational Expansion: The growth of Police Mobile Force Squadrons from 74 to 84, alongside creating new Area Commands and divisions, and with the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
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Human Capital Development: The promotion of over 141,000 officers based on merit and the introduction of compulsory ethics training to bolster professionalism.
Strengthening the Ranks
The meeting, which was also attended by the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General, and Commissioners of Police, underscored a shared commitment to transitioning the NPF into a modern, trusted agency.
The retired IGPs emphasized that continuity is vital for national security, noting that the blend of veteran experience and current innovation is essential for tackling contemporary policing challenges.
The visit concluded with a collective reaffirmation of loyalty to the Force’s mission, signaling a bridge between the legacy of the past and the vision for a more capable Nigeria Police Force.
