Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun: Leadership, Reforms, and Nigeria's Security Landscape

Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, the current head of the Nigeria Police Force appointed in 2021, is a career officer known for pushing tech-driven reforms and accountability in one of Africa’s largest police forces. Also known as K.E. Egbetokun, he’s the first IGP to fully implement the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) nationwide, turning how crimes are tracked and solved. Before taking top command, he spent years in operational roles—from crime scene investigations to counter-terrorism units—giving him hands-on insight into what’s broken and what needs fixing.

Under his leadership, the Nigeria Police Force has shifted from reactive patrols to data-backed operations. He pushed for digital case files, body cameras for frontline officers, and a public portal where citizens can track the status of their reports. These aren’t just shiny upgrades—they’re direct responses to years of public distrust. Communities that once avoided reporting crimes now see real follow-ups, thanks to systems he mandated. He also cracked down on internal corruption, removing over 200 officers for misconduct in his first two years, a move that shocked the system but earned quiet support from ordinary Nigerians.

His reforms didn’t stop at tech. He restructured regional commands to cut response times, revived the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) replacement units with new training standards, and partnered with local vigilante groups under strict oversight. These aren’t theoretical policies. They’re visible changes: fewer armed robberies in Lagos, faster resolution of kidnapping cases in the North, and more arrests tied to digital evidence than ever before. He didn’t just manage the force—he rebuilt its credibility, one case at a time.

What you’ll find below are stories that reflect his impact: how his policies changed daily life for Nigerians, how officers adapted to new tools, and how communities responded to a police force trying to earn back its name. These aren’t just headlines—they’re real shifts in how safety is being handled across the country.