President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Kayode Egbetokun from office as the Inspector-General of Police.
Presidential aides, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the development to our correspondents on Tuesday.
According to sources, the President asked Egbetokun to step aside during a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
“Yes. Egbetokun is gone,” one of the aides said when asked to comment on the development.
Another aide disclosed that a formal statement was being prepared and would be released soon.
“A formal statement is being prepared as we speak. The announcement will be made soon,” the aide added.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful. Calls and messages sent to him had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to calls seeking official confirmation.
Sources within the police hierarchy hinted that a successor may have been identified, although no official statement had been issued.
One senior officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Tunji Disu had been contacted in connection with the position.
“He has been contacted, but we are all waiting for the official confirmation, which should come later in the day,” the source said.
Egbetokun was appointed Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
In 2024, his continued stay in office sparked controversy after he attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 on September 4. However, his tenure was extended following an amendment to the Police Act.
