Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has recounted how his decision to join the police made his best friend and lover to severe ties with him.
Egbetokun said his experiences in the police and career have been filled with intriguing and challenging moments for which he was eternally grateful to God.
The IGP recalled several occasions he had close shave with death during encounters with armed robbers in the course of police duties.
He said: “I could recall the day I decided to join the police force. My close friend said he would not be my friend again because I joined the police. But God proved something.
“While in training in the Police Academy, I wrote letters to this my friend; he didn’t respond. Once I passed out from the Police Academy on October 12, 1991 and I returned to Lagos on October 15, the first thing I did was to go and release him from police detention. Since then, he remains my good friend till today.
“I also had a girlfriend that I was hoping to get married to. She decided to leave me because I joined the police. In her thinking, people curse policemen and she would not want to be part of a police family and was set to go. So, I let her go.
“But I thank God that she left because that gave me the opportunity to marry the best woman in the world.
“I also recall that in my early days as a young officer, I had several encounters with armed, dangerous criminals. In particular, I recall the incident of November 4, 1992, when I had to engage in a shootout with armed robbers. It was just the grace of God that I wasn’t killed that day.
“Several other events have taken place in the course of my career; some very challenging, some very interesting. I remember twice that I wanted to be Commissioner of Police in Lagos State and those two times I was denied. But today, I thank God.”
Egbetokun dismissed claims that he was appointed acting IG by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because of their relationship.
The acting IGP said President Tinubu never took sensitive decisions based on sentiments.
According to him, his appointment as acting IGP was another testimony to the greatness of God, as he was not expecting it and did not get carried away by the social media insinuations.
“For those of us who know the President and Commander-in-Chief, we know that he doesn’t make his appointments based on sentiment or personal relationships. He looks out for the best to put in sensitive positions.
“So, those who have insinuated that he was going to appoint me because I’ve once worked with him, I just laughed it off because I know that he is not going to put that into consideration when he comes to a critical appointments, like this.
“When I was appointed and the announcement was made, I was in the house of a friend watching television. I saw the breaking news. It can only be God. I know that this appointment is not because I am the most qualified or because I have a relationship with Mr. President.”
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described Egbetokun as a rare breed and thoroughbred policeman.
The governor prayed for the police boss to become the best the country ever produced.
Also at the thanksgiving service were DIG in charge of Research and Planning, Frank Mba; former DIG Operations, Leye Oyebade (retd.); Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Ari Mohammed Ali; several Commissioners of Police and other well-wishers.
