President Tinubu's Decision to Remove IGP Egbetokun Linked to Key Disagreements
Sources within the presidency have disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asked Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to resign for three primary reasons, contradicting official statements citing family considerations. The move follows ongoing tensions over police leadership and governance in Nigeria.
Clash Over State Policing Initiative
One significant factor in Egbetokun's removal was his opposition to the creation of state policing, an initiative strongly supported by the presidency. Sources indicate that Egbetokun argued Nigeria is not yet mature enough for such a system, directly conflicting with the government's stance that state policing would enhance national security. Another source confirmed that Egbetokun did not believe in the signatory policy of state police, highlighting a fundamental disagreement on security protocols.
Allegations of Media Hostility and Suppression
Egbetokun faced backlash for perceived media hostility, including his blacklisting by the International Press Institute Nigeria in 2025. The IPI accused him of interfering with constitutionally guaranteed media rights, citing cases such as the arrest and repeated summons of Media Room Hub publisher Azuka Ogujiuba over land dispute reporting. Other incidents involved journalists in Kano, Abuja, and Ekiti State, with the IPI noting that a formal letter to the IGP was ignored. The government reportedly felt embarrassed by this situation, contributing to his exit.
Poor Compliance with VIP Security Directives
A third reason for the resignation was Egbetokun's failure to fully comply with President Tinubu's directive on withdrawing police officers from VIPs. Issued in November 2025, the order required VIPs to request armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead. Sources revealed that compliance was very low, with Tinubu expressing concern over the slow progress in implementing this security measure.
Appointment of Acting IGP Tunji Disu
Following Egbetokun's resignation on February 24, President Tinubu appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as the acting IGP with immediate effect. Tinubu expressed confidence in Disu's experience and leadership capacity to steer the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period. Egbetokun's tenure, which began in June 2023, had extended beyond mandatory retirement limits, drawing criticism from civil society groups for breaching police service regulations.
The National Assembly passed the Police Act Amendment Bill in July 2024 to allow the IGP to remain in office until the end of their appointed term. Disu, previously serving as AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos, has been promoted and is expected to address the ongoing challenges in police governance.
