NIGERIA: Presidency Confirms Resignation Of Kayode Egbetokun As Inspector-General Of Police

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Presidency has confirmed the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police citing family issues that require his undivided attention.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in response to inquiries stating that Egbetokun submitted his resignation letter on Monday.

The former police chief who was appointed on June 19 2023 had served for nearly three years during which the Nigeria Police Force faced persistent criticism over rising insecurity including kidnappings banditry and terrorist attacks across several states.

However, African Culture TV learnt that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Monday evening.

Witnesses observed the IGP’s official Toyota Land Cruiser with number plate NPF-01 arrive at the Villa forecourt around 6:40 pm. Egbetokun alighted in his black uniform without his cap retrieved his notepad from an aide and proceeded inside.

His presence coincided with governors arriving for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President but sources confirmed he was specifically summoned for the meeting.

The IGP reportedly returned to the State House around 8:00 pm where his vehicle underwent a search by Department of State Services operatives.

Egbetokun’s tenure was marked by mounting public and political pressure over high-profile security failures including the abduction of nearly 300 schoolchildren from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State in November 2025 mass killings in Kwara State communities in February 2026 and ongoing kidnappings along major highways. During Monday’s Iftar with governors President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to establishing state police declaring that security remains the foundation of prosperity and that its implementation would not be postponed. Before becoming IGP Egbetokun served as Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department succeeding Usman Alkali Baba whose tenure ended in September 2023. No official announcement has been made regardi

ng his successor.