How Edgal Imohimi, Egbetokun clashed over Lagos CP seat

Details have emerged on how the Lagos State Commissioner of
Police, Imohimi Edgal; and his supposed successor, Kayode
Egbetokun, clashed at the Lagos State Command headquarters on
Tuesday.

Egbetokun, who is the CP Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Anti-bomb)
Command, arrived at the Lagos Command Headquarters with his men
ahead of Edgal.

He immediately parked his car in the space meant for Edgal,
thereby breaching protocol. He subsequently headed for Edgal’s
office to await his arrival.

A senior Police officer who witnessed the incident but spoke on
condition of anonymity, said Egbetokun also arrived with a new
chair which he would use in his new office.

The officer, however, said that when Edgal arrived later, he
appeared surprised that his parking space had been taken over and
decided to park in another place close by.

Senior officers, including Divisional Police Officers as well as
journalists, reportedly stood up to greet Edgal when he arrived at
his office for the handover.

However, Edgal, who is a course mate of the newly appointed
Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, announced that he
had received a counter signal not to obey the order of former IGP
Ibrahim Idris to vacate his office.

He said the latest signal precisely directed him to maintain the
status quo until further instructions.

Egbetokun’s jeep parked in the
space hitherto reserved for Edgal Imohimi at the Command
headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday. Photo: Newsmaker

Our source said Egbetokun insisted on taking over from Edgal
immediately because he had not received any counter
instruction.

Edgal and Egbetokun’s men milled around amid tension at the
Police headquarters while the battle lasted, the source said.

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 DPOs,
loyal to Edgal, the source added.

Some junior officers shot 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 him for an undisclosed destination.

The celebration of Edgal’s ‘victory’ almost turned tragic as a
Police vehicle ran over an officer’s leg while attempting to
perform a stunt, the source added.