President Bola Tinubu has removed Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police (IGP), bringing an abrupt end to his tenure despite earlier expectations that he would serve a full four-year term.
Senior police officials and sources within the Police Service Commission (PSC) confirmed on Tuesday that the President ordered Egbetokun’s removal from office.
He is to be succeeded by Tunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
According to one of the sources, Egbetokun had already been directed to prepare for the transition.
“Egbetokun was at the (Presidential) Villa yesterday and was told to go and prepare his handover notes. I believe he has done that already, and he will be handing over to Tunji Disu,” the source told PREMIUM TIMES .
Another source claimed that the President asked him to step aside amid mounting controversies and health concerns.
“He is incompetent and the scandals are just too many. He is power-drunk. The President said he should leave to focus on getting treatment for himself. You know, he has kidney-related medical issues,” the source alleged.
There were also claims that news of his removal sparked celebration among some officers.
Egbetokun was appointed as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police by Tinubu on June 19, 2023. His appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.
At the time of his appointment, he was 58 and was due for statutory retirement on September 4, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory age of 60.
However, the National Assembly amended the Police Act in 2024, allowing an appointed IGP to serve a fixed four-year term regardless of age or years of service, unless removed by the President. The amendment meant Egbetokun was expected to remain in office until October 31, 2027.
Despite public complaints and controversies surrounding his tenure — including allegations of human rights abuses — the presidency had maintained that his continued stay in office was legal under the amended law.
As of the time of filing this report, the presidency had yet to issue an official statement confirming his removal. Calls to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga and police spokesperson Ben Hundeyin did not go through.
However, a source within the presidency indicated that an official announcement would be made later on Tuesday.