Drama as Lagos CP, Edgal Imohimi fails to hand over to new man

Edgal Imohimi, Lagos state commissioner of police, says there would be no change of guard at the state command for now.

He said this at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday.

Kayode Egbetokun, former chief security officer to Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had been named the new commissioner of police in the state while Imohimi was redeployed to the force headquarters in Abuja.

Egbetokun was Tinubu’s chief security officer for a few years before he became the commandant of Police Training School, Ikeja, Lagos.

The process for the hand over was underway when Imohimi announced that he had received a directive from Abuja to suspend the action.

“I am sure that you know Mr. Kayode Egbetokun; he is an old timer in the command,” Imohinmi said.

“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 honour.”

His statement sparked jubilation among the rank and file at the venue.

Sources had revealed that Imohimi, who is said to be an ally of Akinwunmi Ambode, the incumbent governor of the state, was “fired from Lagos” because he did not provide adequate security at the APC rally in Ikeja last week.

Violence broke out at the rally and Musiliu Akinsanya, treasurer of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW), popularly known as “MC Oluomo”, was stabbed, while some journalists were also shot.

Imohimi was deployed to Lagos on August 31, 2017, after serving as the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations in the state.