Reporters waiting for the handing over of the Lagos Police Command’s paraphernalia by Imohimi Edgal to Acting Commissioner of Police designate, Kayode Egbetokun, witnessed a mild drama on Tuesday at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.
The handing over failed to hold due to an order from the police headquarters in Abuja.
Earlier, the reporters were told that the event scheduled for 1:30 pm had been shifted to 3 pm.
Few minutes past 3 pm, there were jubilations in the Conference Hall where the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the Area Commanders, waiting for the briefing by the Acting CP, had converged.
Not quite long, Edgal, who briefed the reporters in company with Egbetokun said: “Gentlemen of the press, are you here for the handing over and taking over? Are you here because you like me or you are eager for me to leave? Well, there is a directive that the status quo should remain till further notice.”
Edgal told reporters that there is no change of guard for now, as he still remains the state Commissioner of Police.
“I am sure that Kayode Egbetokun is an old timer in the command. Our first job as police is order and directive; we were about concluding the handing over and taking over procedure when we were instructed by our bosses from Abuja to suspend action for now. So, there is no change of guard for now. Of course, we will keep in touch of latest development,” he said.
He did not entertain any question.
Egbetokun, who came with his personal effect and his personal staff, left the command, saying: “We are government agents and we are always taking directives.”
As Edgal was leaving for Abuja to meet with the Acting Inspector-General of Police, (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, there was gunshot salute.
The policemen attached to Edgal’s convoy shot four times into the air to celebrate the “good news.”
Earlier, the car conveying Egbetokun had taken over the CP’s parking lot, while Edgal’s car was parked elsewhere.
It was gathered that as the duo was having a closed-door meeting, a phone call believed to be from the IGP’s office came in and directed that the handing and taking over should be cancelled till further notice.
Immediately, after the announcement, Egbetokun’s vehicle was removed from the CP’s parking lot and Edgal’s vehicle replace
Imohimi Edgal told reporters on Tuesday that he remains the Lagos State Commissioner of Police at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja GRA.
According to him, he received a call from Police Headquarters in Abuja that there is no change of Guard in Lagos Police Command.
After receiving the call, Edgal went upstairs where the Divisional Police Officers (DPO) converged to notify them of the “good news.”
Reporters heard the officers jubilating over the news.
Earlier, the car of the Acting Commissioner of Police designate, Kayode Egbetokun was parked at CP’s place while Edgal’s car was parked at another place.
Immediately, after the announcement, Egbetokun’s car was removed and Edgal’s replaced it.
Egbetokun left without speaking with reporters.
- The Nation