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BREAKING: Tinubu Sacks IGP Kayode Egbetokun Amid Scandals, Tunji Disu Named Successor
Egbetokun was directed to step down following a decisive intervention by the President, who reportedly instructed him to prepare his handover notes without delay.
Abuja, Nigeria– President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate removal of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector General of Police, bringing an abrupt end to a controversial tenure that was dogged by allegations of misconduct, institutional breaches, and internal discontent within the Nigeria Police Force.
SaharaReporters reports that Egbetokun was directed to step down following a decisive intervention by the President, who reportedly instructed him to prepare his handover notes without delay.
Senior police officials and multiple sources within the Police Service Commission confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Tuesday, revealing that the embattled police chief had already commenced the transition process.
“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,” one of the sources disclosed.
He is to be succeeded by Tunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police currently overseeing the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos. Disu is expected to assume office immediately as the new Inspector General of Police.
Insiders told SaharaReporters that the President’s decision was influenced by what was described as mounting scandals and widespread dissatisfaction within the force.
“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,” another source revealed.
Although there has been no official public statement from the Presidency at the time of filing this report, top-level confirmations from within the police hierarchy indicate that the decision is final and irreversible.
It was further gathered that news of Egbetokun’s removal triggered celebrations among some police officers across commands.
“Police officers jubilated on Monday when they heard the news. The First Lady Remi Tinubu wanted him to stay but the President was adamant. She fought that he should remain in office despite all the scandals,” one of the sources said.
According to insiders, the President stood firm despite attempts to retain Egbetokun in office,
Egbetokun’s time as Inspector General of Police was overshadowed by persistent controversy, particularly over his prolonged stay in office beyond the mandatory retirement threshold.
His tenure was extended beyond the legally recognised retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service — a move that drew sharp criticism from civil society organisations, legal experts, and police reform advocates.
