President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has relieved Kayode Egbetokun of his duties as Inspector-General of Police, according to senior sources within the Presidency.
Officials familiar with the development told The PUNCH that the President directed Egbetokun to step aside during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.
A formal statement confirming the decision is expected to be issued soon.
One presidential aide, who confirmed the development, said,
“Yes, he has been asked to step aside. An official statement is being finalised and should be released soon.”
Another source within the Presidency disclosed that processes were already in motion to formally announce the leadership change.
Attempts to obtain an official response from the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not answered as of the time of filing this report. Similarly, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, did not respond to inquiries.
Sources within the police command structure indicated that a successor may have been pencilled down, with Tunji Disu reportedly contacted in relation to the position.
“There are indications that a successor has been identified. We are all waiting for official confirmation,” a senior police source said.
Egbetokun was appointed Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023.
His continued stay in office later sparked public discussion after he reached the statutory retirement age of 60 in September 2024 but remained in position following amendments to the Police Act that extended his tenure.
