IGP Egbetokun Unveils 59 Armoured Hilux Vehicles to Strengthen Police Operations

IGP Egbetokun Unveils 59 Armoured Hilux Vehicles to Strengthen Police Operations

 

 

 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Friday commissioned 59 armoured Toyota Hilux vehicles in Abuja to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force amid rising security challenges.

 

Addressing officers and guests at the event, Egbetokun said the vehicles are “evidence that this Force does not trade in promises; it delivers capacity.” He stressed that the credibility of the police is measured by results, including citizens’ safety, response time, and firm action against criminality.

 

“These Hiluxes are purpose-built for high-risk operations. They are armoured against hostile fire, mobile across varied terrains, and durable for sustained field operations. They are not ceremonial assets; they are reinforcements for missions that test our officers’ resilience,” he added.

 

Egbetokun noted that equipment alone cannot guarantee success. “It is the discipline, judgment, and courage of the officers who operate them, along with citizen support, that will transform these vehicles into effective tools of security,” he said. He further emphasized the need for integrity, warning that misuse of the vehicles would undermine the Force’s reputation.

 

The IGP said the commissioning forms part of a broader reform agenda to strengthen operations, improve intelligence, enhance training, and enforce accountability. “These vehicles add mobility and protection to our reforms. More are expected to reach commands across the country in the coming days,” he stated.

 

Directing commanders and tactical units on the use of the vehicles, Egbetokun said: “They must never sit idle, be diverted for private errands, or used in ways that diminish the integrity of this Force. The citizens expect to see them in their communities, ensuring visibility, faster response, and improved safety.”

 

The IGP also warned criminal elements that the police now have enhanced capability. “Those challenging law and order will no longer enjoy mobility or surprise. These Hiluxes will carry our officers into contested areas and return with results,” he said.

 

Egbetokun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the acquisition of the vehicles, saying the government’s commitment made the procurement possible. “Our duty is to justify this trust through discipline, professionalism, and results that Nigerians can feel,” he added.

 

Senator Sunday Karim, representing Kogi West (APC), lauded the acquisition, saying it would aid in combating increasingly daring criminal activities. He called on Nigerians and corporate organisations to support the police with equipment in the fight against insecurity.