My Best Friend, Lover Left Me For Joining Police, Says IGP

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, yesterday in Lagos revealed that a lady he wanted to marry and his best friend abandoned him because of his decision to join the Force.

Egbetokun made the revelation on Sunday at a thanksgiving on his appointment as the Inspector General of Police.

At the thanksgiving on Sunday at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Redemption Pavilion, Victoria Island, Lagos State, Egbetokun 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.”

On the claim that he was appointed as Acting IGP because of his closeness to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Egbetokun said this was another testimony to the greatness of God.

He said he was not expecting it, adding: “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 appointment 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.”