Despite lingering controversy over his exit, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu is reportedly planning a low-key pulling-out parade to honour his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun.
According to multiple senior police sources, the ceremony is being quietly arranged within the force and is expected to take place on Thursday. This comes even as Egbetokun’s departure from office was reportedly linked to allegations of abuse of office and financial mismanagement.
The move has sparked unease among officers, many of whom believe the former police chief should not be publicly honoured under such circumstances. Some insiders described the planned ceremony as surprising, given the controversies that trailed his tenure.
A senior officer disclosed that the decision followed an internal compromise aimed at giving Egbetokun what was described as a “soft landing.”
“They have reached a compromise. Disu has agreed to organise a send-forth parade for him despite how he left office,” the source said, adding that the event would be conducted quietly without the usual elaborate protocol.
Another source revealed that members of the current police management team had been directed to proceed with arrangements, allegedly without the knowledge of the presidency.
In the Nigeria Police Force, pulling-out parades are traditional ceremonies held to honour retiring Inspectors-General. However, in this case, the plan has generated debate due to the unresolved allegations surrounding Egbetokun’s time in office.
Sources also pointed to a previously strained relationship between Disu and Egbetokun. During his tenure, Egbetokun had reportedly redeployed Disu from a strategic role to Lagos, a move some officers interpreted as an attempt to sideline him.
Despite that history, Disu is now said to be leading efforts to ensure his predecessor exits with ceremonial recognition.
Some insiders have suggested that the decision may be influenced by concerns over possible audits or investigations into activities during the former police chief’s administration, though these claims remain unverified.
There are also allegations that certain influential figures within the police circle are mounting pressure to ensure Egbetokun is honoured, further highlighting internal tensions within the force.
Disu, who was appointed less than two months before his scheduled retirement, was born on April 13, 1966, and was originally due to retire upon turning 60 in April 2026. However, under the amended Police Act, an Inspector-General can serve a fixed four-year term, which could see him remain in office until 2030.
