There was palpable tension at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command today when the outgoing Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, bluntly refused to hand over to his successor, Kayode Egbetokun.The situation nearly degenerated into pandemonium as both police bosses engaged in a prolonged battle of wits to see who among them would blink first.
Egbetokun was first to arrive, with his men from Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD), at the Command’s headquarters early in the morning and he parked his car at the parking space reserved for the Commissioner of Police before going into Edgal’s office to await his arrival for the official handing-over-and-taking-over.
Egbetokun also reportedly brought along an office chair he planned to use on his first day at work.
But when Edgal arrived later, he appeared surprised that his parking space had been taken over but opted to park in another place close by.
Senior officers and journalists who had been waiting to witness the routine handover ceremony were however taken aback when Edgal who is a course mate of the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abubakar Adamu Mohammed, announced that he had received a counter signal not to obey the order of former IGP Ibrahim Idris to vacate his office.
Edgal said the latest signal precisely directed him to maintain the status quo until further instructions.
Egbetokun, however, insisted on taking over from him immediately because he had not received any counter instruction.
The tussle dragged on for hours after which Egbetokun eventually left the command when it became apparent that Edgal was unwilling to shift ground.
This development was greeted with wild jubilation by some Divisional Police Officers, loyal to Edgal.
Journalists also witnessed a handful of junior officers shooting into the air in celebration of what they perceived as Edgal’s victory.
A short while later, Edgal too left the command along with the aides that accompanied for an unascertained destination.
A tragedy was, however, averted when one of his guards fell off the escort vehicle but escaped with injuries as Edgal’s convoy was driving out of the command.
–newsmakersng
