The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned from office following a directive from President Bola Tinubu, PREMIUM TIMES has learned.
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A source within the presidency disclosed that Mr Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa on Monday.
He is expected to be replaced by Tunji Disu
AIG, Tunji Disu
, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). Although the change has not yet been officially announced, sources at the presidency and the police headquarters told PREMIUM TIMES that preparations are underway for a formal handover ceremony between Mr Egbetokun and Mr Disu.
Mr Egbetokun was appointed the 22nd IGP by President Tinubu on 19 June 2023, with his substantive appointment confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on 31 October 2023.
At the time of his appointment, Mr Egbetokun was 58 years old and was due to retire on 4 September 2024 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60. However, an amendment to the police law by the National Assembly allowed an appointed IGP to serve a fixed four-year term regardless of age or years of service, unless removed by the president. This provision meant he was expected to remain in office until 31 October 2027.
Despite public complaints over his continued stay in office, the presidency maintained that Mr Egbetokun’s tenure was lawful under the amended Police Act 2024.
His time as IGP was marked by several controversies, including allegations of human rights abuses.
As of the time of filing this report, the presidency had yet to issue an official statement confirming Mr Egbetokun’s removal. Efforts to reach presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga and police spokesperson Ben Hundeyin were unsuccessful. However, a senior presidency source said an official announcement was expected later on Tuesday.
Further details are expected in subsequent reports.
