The immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Saturday said he believes God allowed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove him from office at the appropriate time, stressing that divine guidance shaped his leadership throughout his tenure.
Egbetokun made the remark in Abuja during a retirement thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Force Headquarters Chapel, where a newly completed Nigeria Police Force Chaplaincy building was also inaugurated.
Addressing senior police officers, family members and worshippers at the event, the former police chief disclosed that shortly after his appointment in 2023, he offered three key prayers — for wisdom to lead, grace to finish well and for God not to allow him remain in office beyond the right time.
“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.
“My first prayer was for wisdom to run the office, the second was for grace to end well, and the third was that I should not stay a day longer than God permits.
“I believe God has answered those prayers, and my prayer for everyone here is that God answers whatever you ask of Him.”
Reflecting on his decades-long career in the Nigeria Police Force, Egbetokun said faith had played a central role in his journey since graduating from the Nigeria Police Academy.
He said his life had been filled with numerous testimonies that would be difficult to fully document.
The former police boss also revealed that before joining the force, he once dreamt of becoming a Deputy Inspector-General of Police rather than the nation’s top cop.
“In the dream, I saw myself in a police staff car with the registration number NPF02, so I believed I would become a DIG,” he said.
According to him, the experience later taught him that God sometimes conceals greater plans from individuals.
Egbetokun added that his passion for the Nigeria Police Force influenced his conduct throughout his service, noting that he remained mindful that his actions could affect the image of the institution.
“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, Rev. Joshua Omoyele, commended Egbetokun for completing the police chaplaincy building project during his tenure.
Omoyele noted that the former IGP had demonstrated strong commitment to Christian service long before his appointment as the nation’s police chief.
He added that Egbetokun’s record as Commissioner of Police in Kwara State and later as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Zone 7 reflected his dedication to service.
The chaplain also credited him with initiating the Nigeria Police Force’s annual Christmas carol programme and expanding its national visibility.
The thanksgiving service formed part of activities marking the formal retirement of the former police chief.
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