Past IGP (Inspectors General) of Police in Nigeria
Nigeria has been served by 22 successive IGPs (Inspectors General of Police) from 1964 to 2024. Louis Edet was the first. He commanded from 1964 to 1966. Others are: Kam Salem (1966-1975), Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu (1975-1979), Adamu Suleiman (1979–1981), Sunday Adewusi (1981–1983), Etim Inyang (1985–1986), Muhammadu Gambo-Jimeta (1986–1990), Aliyu Atta (1990–1993), Ibrahim Coomassie (1993–1999), Musiliu Smith (1999–2002) Mustafa Adebayo Balogun (2002 – 2005) Sunday Ehindero (2005–2007) Mike Mbama Okiro (2007–2009), Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo (2009 – 2010) Hafiz Ringim (2010 – 2012), Mohammed Dikko Abubarkar (2012 – 2014) Suleiman Abba (2014 -2015), Solomon E. Arase (2015 – 2016), Ibraim Kpotun Idris (2016-2019), Mohammed Abubakar Adamu (2019-2021), Usman Alkali Baba (2021-2023), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun (2023 – )
List of past IGPs of Nigeria Police Force
Louis Edet 1964-1966
Kam Salem 1966-1975
Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu 1975-1979
Adamu Suleiman 1979–1981
Sunday Adewusi 1981–1983
Etim Inyang 1985–1986
Muhammadu Gambo-Jimeta 1986–1990
Aliyu Atta 1990–1993
Ibrahim Coomassie 1993–1999
Musiliu Smith 1999–2002
Mustafa Adebayo Balogun 2002 – 2005
Sunday Ehindero 2005–2007
Mike Mbama Okiro 2007–2009
Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo 2009 – 2010
Hafiz Ringim 2010 – 2012
Mohammed Dikko Abubarkar 2012 – 2014
Suleiman Abba 2014 -2015
Solomon E. Arase 2015 – 2016
Ibraim Kpotun Idris 2016-2019
Mohammed Abubakar Adamu 2019-2021
Usman Alkali Baba 2021-2023
Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun 2023 –
Louis Edet Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun
The Police Force is under the Command of the Inspector-General of Police and any contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a state are subject to the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, be under the command of Commissioner of Police of that state.
The Command structure or authority structure of the Police Force is predicted on the regimental nature of the Force and conducted along the Force badges of ranks.
The orders, directives and instructions to perform or carry out the duties with which the Police is carried, flows from the Inspector-General of Police, through the chain of Command, to any Officer positioned to implement such order.
The next in the line to the Inspector General of Police, is the Deputy Inspector General of Police, so states Section 7 (1) of the Police Act. According to section 7(1) of the Police Act, the Deputy Inspector General of Police is the second in Command of the Force.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police acts for the Inspector-General of Police in the event of the absence of the Inspector-General of Police and Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
The Commissioner of Police in Control of contingents of the Police Force stationed in a State. There are subject to the command of the Inspector-General of Police.
