Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has stepped down from office at the request of President Bola Tinubu, VerifiedGist has gathered.
A presidency source disclosed that Mr Egbetokun was asked to resign during a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
He is expected to be succeeded by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu.
Although no official announcement has been made, sources within the Presidency and at Force Headquarters informed journalists that arrangements are ongoing for a formal handover ceremony between Mr Egbetokun and Mr Disu.
Mr Egbetokun was appointed as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police by President Tinubu on 19 June 2023, with his appointment confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on 31 October of the same year.
He assumed office at 58 and was initially scheduled to retire on 4 September 2024 upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.
However, the National Assembly amended the Police Act, enabling him to serve a complete four-year term as IGP unless removed by the president.
Under the revised law, he was expected to remain in office until 31 October 2027.
Despite public criticism over his continued stay in office, the Presidency maintained that Mr Egbetokun’s tenure was lawful, referencing the amended Police Act 2024, which permits an appointed IGP to serve a fixed four-year term irrespective of age or years of service.
His time in office was not without controversy, as it was marked by allegations including human rights abuses.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not released an official statement confirming his removal. Calls placed to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga and police spokesperson Ben Hundeyin were unsuccessful. However, a presidency source indicated that a formal announcement would be made later on Tuesday.
Further updates will follow in subsequent reports.