From Dele Jibah
President Bola Tinubu has relieved Kayode Egbetokun of his duties as Inspector-General of Police, cutting short a tenure that was widely anticipated to last four years.
Multiple senior officers and officials within the Police Service Commission confirmed on Tuesday that the directive for his removal came directly from the President. Tunji Disu, currently serving as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, is expected to take over the role.
Sources familiar with the development said Egbetokun had been instructed to begin the handover process and prepare the necessary transition documents. One official disclosed that he had already completed the required notes ahead of formally transferring authority to his successor.
There were also reports that news of the change in leadership triggered celebrations among some members of the force. Additional claims from insiders suggested that the President’s decision followed mounting controversies linked to Egbetokun’s leadership, as well as concerns about his health. Allegations circulated that he had been asked to step aside to address medical issues, including a kidney-related condition, though these claims remain unverified.
Another source alleged that internal disagreements surrounded his continued stay in office, claiming that while the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, preferred he remain, the President insisted on the leadership change.
Egbetokun was appointed the 22nd Inspector-General of Police by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023, with his selection later ratified by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023. At the time of his appointment, he was 58 and was scheduled to retire upon reaching the mandatory age of 60 in September 2024.
However, a 2024 amendment to the Police Act introduced by the National Assembly provided that an appointed Inspector-General could serve a fixed four-year term irrespective of age or length of service, unless removed by the President. That legislative change positioned him to remain in office until October 31, 2027.
Despite public criticism and allegations of misconduct during his tenure, the presidency had consistently maintained that his stay in office was lawful under the revised legislation.
As of press time, there was no official statement from the presidency confirming the development. Efforts to reach presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga and police spokesperson Ben Hundeyin were unsuccessful. Nonetheless, a source within the presidency indicated that a formal announcement was expected later on Tuesday.
