BREAKING: Tinubu Presidency Confirms Egbetokun’s Exit As Police IG, Appoints Disu In Acting Capacity Pending Senate Approval

“President Tinubu received Mr Egbetokun's resignation earlier today and expressed his profound appreciation for Egbetokun's decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation,” Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Presidency has announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, “following the submission of his letter citing pressing family considerations”.

“President Tinubu received Mr Egbetokun's resignation earlier today and expressed his profound appreciation for Egbetokun's decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation,” Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The President acknowledged his dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.”

Appointed in June 2023, Egbetokun was serving a four-year term set to end in June 2027, in accordance with the amended provisions of the Police Act.

The Presidency also confirmed the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as the IGP with immediate effect.

Onanuga said, “In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.

“The President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period.”

“In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” the statement added.

Earlier on Tuesday, SaharaReporters broke the news that Egbetokun had been removed from his position as Inspector General of Police.

SaharaReporters confirmed that President Tinubu ordered Egbetokun’s removal from office, forcing the former IGP to sign his resignation letter.

Senior police officials and sources within the Police Service Commission confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

“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,” a source told SaharaReporters on Tuesday morning.

“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.”

SaharaReporters learnt that some police officers celebrated upon hearing the news of his removal on Monday.

Egbetokun’s time as IGP was marked by a storm of controversies. His prolonged stay in office, despite clear retirement rules, became the centerpiece of the scandal.

His tenure was extended beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service.

Civil society groups and critics argued that his continued stay violated police service rules, sparking heated debates about favouritism and disregard for institutional discipline

SaharaReporters exclusively reported how Bukola Yemisi Kuti, a Principal Staff Officer to Egbetokun, received rapid promotions under questionable circumstances.

Critics alleged that her closeness to the IGP gave her undue advantage, fueling perceptions of favoritism and nepotism within the police force.

Sources told SaharaReporters that Kuti was not just a staff officer but also personally linked to Egbetokun as his mistress, which made her promotions scandalous.

SaharaReporters also reported exclusively that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was traced to the account of Victor, the son of Kayode Egbetokun.

This sparked significant controversy, as it raised concerns about the possible diversion of state security funds and the alleged personal benefit to the Inspector-General’s family.

Rather than allowing an independent investigation into the matter, police authorities deployed institutional resources to pursue legal action against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters reporting on the allegations, further fueling suspicions of corruption and abuse of office.

During this period, Egbetokun’s office was repeatedly in the headlines for initiating lawsuits against journalists and activists.

He filed multiple charges against activist Sowore and SaharaReporters after the activist publicly referred to him as an “illegal IGP.”