Imohimi Edgal, Commissioner of Police (CP), who was announced to have been transferred to the force headquarters in Abuja, would no longer proceed to Abuja. He is to continue as CP in charge of the Lagos command.
Edgal, who had invited the journalists on Tuesday to witness the handing and taking over ceremony between him and his supposed successor, Kayode Egbetokun, said they were about concluding the process when they received a directive from Abuja to suspend the action.
Edgal had earlier been redeployed to Abuja, to resume as the CP in charge of Explosive Ordinance Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja while Egbetokun, a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, was to replace him as CP in acting capacity.
But Edgal while addressing the press, in the presence of Egbetokun, at the Lagos police headquarters, said, “I am sure that you know Mr Kayode Egbetokun, he is an old timer in the command.
“You all know that our first job is about order and direction; we were about concluding the handing and taking over procedure when we were instructed by our bosses from Abuja to suspend action for now. So, there will be no change of guard for now. Of course, we would keep the press briefed about any development.
“But I am happy, humbled that you find it serious enough for you all to come to witness what we are doing here. I consider it an honor.”
BusinessDay gathered that the order to retain Edgal in Lagos was issued by the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, who was decorated and sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari.
It was learnt that the new IGP got the support of the presidency before ordering the reversal of redeployment of the Edgal which was done by Ibrahim Idris four days befor his retirement and exit as IGP.
JOSHUA BASSEY
