By Nkechi Eze
A committee of retired Inspectors-General of Police has paid a solidarity visit to the incumbent Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirming unity and continuity in the leadership and reform efforts of the Nigeria Police Force.
The high-level meeting, held at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, brought together serving and former police chiefs in a symbolic show of institutional support and intergenerational collaboration aimed at strengthening the Force.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, the meeting was attended by members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police, and other senior officers.
Among the retired Inspectors-General present were Aliyu Attah, Sunday Ehindero, Mike Okiro, Ogbonna Onovo, Suleiman Abba, and Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, all of whom previously led the Force at different periods.
Addressing the gathering, Egbetokun highlighted key reforms implemented under his leadership over the past two years, describing them as part of a broader strategy to reposition the Police for improved efficiency, professionalism, and service delivery.
He disclosed that the Intelligence Unit had been upgraded to a full department to strengthen intelligence gathering and response capabilities, while the Legal and Medical Units were elevated to the status of directorates to enhance operational effectiveness and institutional support services.
The Inspector-General also revealed that the number of Police Mobile Force Squadrons had been increased from 74 to 80 to improve rapid response capacity, while additional Area Commands and Divisions had been created to expand policing coverage across the country.
He further noted the establishment of the Special Intervention Squad as part of efforts to tackle emerging security challenges and reinforce internal security operations.
On personnel development, Egbetokun said merit-based promotion remained a cornerstone of his administration, disclosing that more than 141,000 officers had been promoted in recognition of their service and performance.
He added that compulsory ethics and professionalism training programmes had also been introduced to instil discipline, integrity, and accountability within the Force.
Responding on behalf of the retired police chiefs, former Inspector-General Mohammed Dikko Abubakar commended the ongoing reforms and progress recorded under Egbetokun’s leadership.
He urged the incumbent police chief to sustain the reform momentum and encouraged officers and men of the Force to fully support the Inspector-General in his efforts to transform the institution.
The visit, observers say, represents a rare convergence of past and present leadership of the Nigeria Police, reflecting a shared vision to build a modern, professional, and trusted policing institution capable of effectively addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The engagement also reinforced the importance of continuity in leadership and collective responsibility in advancing reforms aimed at enhancing public confidence in the Police and improving national security.
