Pull-Out Parade For Egbetokun: When Facts Defeat Fabrication -By Adewole Kehinde

The pulling-out parade held in honour of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was more than a ceremonial farewell. It was a powerful institutional statement that truth, professionalism and service will ultimately triumph over propaganda and reckless journalism.

In the days leading to the event, the controversial online platform Sahara Reporters attempted to frame the narrative in a manner designed to diminish the reputation of the former police chief.

On Wednesday, the outlet claimed that “multiple senior police sources previously told SaharaReporters that the ceremony was being quietly arranged within the police hierarchy, despite the fact that Egbetokun was reportedly forced out of office amid serious allegations of abuse of office and financial mismanagement.”

Such claims were not only speculative but entirely devoid of verifiable evidence.

However, reality unfolded differently on Thursday.

The colourful and well-attended pulling-out parade organised by the Nigeria Police Force immediately exposed the hollowness of that earlier narrative. Faced with the undeniable success of the event, the same platform suddenly changed its tone, publishing another headline: “Despite Corruption Allegations, Nigeria Police Honour Ex-IGP Egbetokun With Pulling-Out Parade.”

This abrupt shift illustrates a troubling pattern that Nigerians have come to recognize—first create controversy, then attempt to sustain it even when facts clearly contradict the original claim.

Yet, the central question remains: where is the evidence?

To date, there is no single proven case of corruption linked directly to Kayode Egbetokun. Not one credible investigation, judicial finding, or official report has established any wrongdoing against the former police boss. What exists instead is a trail of allegations built largely on conjecture, sensational headlines, and a sustained campaign aimed at damaging his reputation.

The pulling-out parade itself has effectively silenced many of those critics and blackmailers.

Far from the “low-key” event predicted by detractors, the ceremony turned out to be colourful, dignified and widely celebrated within the policing community. Senior officers, dignitaries and stakeholders gathered to honour a man whose tenure focused on strengthening professionalism, promoting merit-based advancement and deepening intelligence-led policing.

Contrary to the claims pushed earlier by Sahara Reporters that “some police officers expressed dissatisfaction with IGP Disu’s plan to organise a pulling-out parade,” the reality was the exact opposite. The event was orderly, successful and symbolic of institutional unity—much to the embarrassment of those who predicted failure.

Equally important is the fact that Kayode Egbetokun did not leave office under a cloud of scandal as maliciously portrayed in certain publications. He exited honourably and was publicly celebrated in a manner that many observers say surpasses the farewell ceremonies accorded to several previous Inspectors-General in the history of the Nigeria Police Force.

It is therefore laughable and ridiculous to suggest that the parade was meant to give the former police chief a “soft landing.” What exactly constitutes a soft landing in this context? Is reinforcing professionalism within the force a scandal? Is promoting merit and strengthening intelligence-driven policing a crime?

Those achievements, rather than any imaginary controversy, define the legacy of his tenure.

Equally worthy of note is the role played by the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu. The successful ceremony demonstrates institutional maturity within the police leadership. The IGP is clearly not a petty officer who would allow personal grievances or external pressure to deny a predecessor the ceremonial honour that accompanies decades of service to the nation.

The presence and backing of the presidency further underscored the significance of the occasion. What Nigerians witnessed was not a quiet or reluctant farewell but a confident and well-supported institutional celebration.

For those who hoped the ceremony would fail or remain subdued, the outcome must be particularly painful.

Indeed, the fabricators of the earlier narratives must now be grappling with the reality that facts have overtaken fiction. The massive turnout and smooth execution of the event exposed the weakness of the earlier claims and reaffirmed the respect many officers still hold for the former police chief.

Ultimately, the tenure of Kayode Egbetokun was never inherently controversial. The controversy existed largely in the pages of a few publications and among those determined to manufacture scandal where none existed.

Despite repeated attempts to distract and derail his administration, he remained focused on advancing policing reforms and strengthening institutional capacity within the Nigeria Police Force.

As the pulling-out parade demonstrated, service, dedication and institutional progress speak louder than sensational headlines. And as the curtain falls on his time in office, Egbetokun can take pride in knowing that he remained steadfast in the pursuit of reforms that served the interest of the silent majority of Nigerians.

Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. email: kennyadewole@gmail.com 08166240846 @kennyadewole