The new Inspector – General of Police (IGP ) Adamu Mohammed Lafia may have reversed the transfer of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Imohimi Edgal who was swapped with his counterpart at the Police Ordinance Department (EOD) , CP Kayode Egbetokun.
Edgal was transferred to EOD while Egbetokun who was in EOD was asked to resumed at the Lagos State Police Command with immediate effect.
The two CPs had arranged for a handing over and taking over for 3 PM yesterday but as he was having a close door meeting with Egbetokun , a mild drama occurred as a phone call from the newly decorated IGP Adamu Mohammed Lafia ordered that the ceremony should stop for further notice .
Edgal who briefed the press in company with Egbetokun said: “Gentle men of the press are you here for the handing over and taking over?. Are you here because you love me or you are eager for me to leave?. Well there is a directive that the status quo should remain till further notice.We shall brief you later “.
Egbetokun who came with his chair ,other personal effect and his personal staff left the command took the directive in good faith and said:: “We are government agents and we are always taking directives. Thank you all for coming”.
Edgal who left immediately for Abuja, to meet with the new IGP received gun shot salute from the elated
Police officers who were cheering him.
There was reshuffling in the force on Sunday. The police wireless message said that the transfer was with immediate effect.
Egbetokun had arrived the Lagos State Command Headquarters, Ikeja on Monday and he was conducted round the command while the handing over was scheduled for 3pm Tuesday .
A senior police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said : ” CP Edgal had removed his belongings since on Monday and Egbetokun had moved in with his personal staff ,belongings ,including his official chair to take over . As they were about handing over , the new IGP phone and directed that the hand over should stop and status quo should be maintained . The IGP spoke with Edgal and asked him to hand over the phone to Egbetokun .He also spoke with Egbetokun .The two of them immediately complied with the IGP’s directive and jointly addressed the press.
It was gathered that as they were having close door meeting when a phone call believed to be from the newly decorated Inspector General of police (IGP) came in and directed that the handing and taking over should be canceled till further notice .
Edgal who briefed the press in company with Egbetokun said: “As we were about concluding the handing over procedure, we were instructed from our bosses in Abuja to stop action for now.
“So, there will be no change of guard for now.
I am happy and humbled that you find this office serious enough for you all to come and see what is happening here. I consider it a honour. I will talk to you guys later on.”
Immediately after the briefing ,all visitors and Senior police officers who came for the change of guard left with mix reactions.
