While the official account suggests that former police chief Kayode Egbetokun stepped down for personal family matters, PREMIUM TIMES reports that presidency insiders claim President Bola Tinubu requested his resignation for three specific reasons.
On 24 February, Mr. Egbetokun vacated his position as Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the President’s behest. Following the confirmation of his departure, the presidency named AIG Olatunji Disu as the acting head of the force.
Initially appointed on 19 June 2023, Mr. Egbetokun’s role was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council later that October. Under standard Police Act regulations, he was expected to retire at age 60 or after 35 years of service.
However, a legislative amendment to the Police Act granted IGPs a fixed four-year term, theoretically extending his stay until late 2027. This change faced public scrutiny regarding its legality, though the presidency defended it as lawful.
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By the time he left office, Mr. Egbetokun was 61 and had surpassed 35 years of service.
Three Catalysts for Removal
1. Opposing State Policing
The primary point of contention was Mr. Egbetokun’s resistance to the President’s plan for state-controlled police forces. One source noted that the former IGP “is not in support of the creation of state policing,” while another stated he “did not believe in the signatory policy of state police.”
President Tinubu has described his drive for this reform as “unwavering,” viewing it as a vital step to make law enforcement more localized. Conversely, Mr. Egbetokun publicly voiced concerns that the country was not ready for such a shift. Through a representative, he stated:
“It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police.”
He further cautioned that “There is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership” and that “State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.”
Despite these warnings, the President continued to push the initiative, telling officials shortly before the removal: “What I promise you is not to be postponed. We will establish state police to combat insecurity.”
2. Failure to Withdraw VIP Escorts
A second factor involved a November 2025 directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, pivoting that responsibility to the NSCDC. The presidency was reportedly dissatisfied with the lack of progress on this front, with a source remarking: “The rate at which he has succeeded in withdrawing police officers from VIP is very low.”
3. The IPI “Book of Infamy”
Finally, the administration was reportedly unsettled by Mr. Egbetokun’s standing with the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria. After approximately 24 journalists were harassed or detained under his watch—often via the weaponization of the Cybercrimes Act—the IPI blacklisted him.
A source noted, “The government felt embarrassed about the situation,” especially since the former IGP had been advised to curb these attacks. The IPI cited a lack of corrective action as the reason for placing him in their “Book of Infamy.”
Following these developments, President Tinubu officially decorated Olatunji Disu as the new Acting Inspector General of Police on Wednesday.
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