Tinubu sacks IGP Egbetokun, AIG Disu to take over

By Editor

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned from office. Several reports confirm he was forced to resign at the demand of President Bola Tinubu.

It was gathered that Egbetokun was asked to resign at a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

Egbetokun is to be replaced by Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

Egbetokun was appointed by President Tinubu as the 22nd IGP on 19 June 2023 at the age of 58. His substantive appointment was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on 31 October that year.

He was due to retire on 4 September 2024, upon reaching the mandatory age of 60.

However, the National Assembly amended the police law, allowing him to serve his full four-year term as IG unless removed by the president.

He was thus expected to complete his four-year tenure and remain in office until 31 October 2027.

The presidency explained that Mr Egbetokun remained in office legally, citing the amended Police Act 2024, which allows an appointed IGP to serve a fixed four-year term regardless of their age or years of service. He is now 61 years old, and he marked 35 years in service on 3 March 2025.

The Presidency on Tuesday finally confirmed the resignation.

It said the former police boss resigned from office, citing family issues that require his undivided attention.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a response to an inquiry by The PUNCH, saying, “The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention.”

Egbetokun, dressed in his black uniform without his cap, alighted from the vehicle and turned back to ask for his notepad from an aide who briskly reached into the vehicle and handed it to him.

The IGP arrived at approximately the same time governors were arriving for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President, raising initial uncertainty about the purpose of his visit.

However, another source at the Villa confirmed that Egbetokun was specifically summoned that evening by the President.

“He was called in. It wasn’t a routine visit,” the source stated.

Security officials who confided in our correspondent said the IGP returned to the State House at about 8.00 pm as his vehicle was subjected to search by DSS operatives at the Villa.