Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has resigned from his position, clearing the way for Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to become the new police chief ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Disu, promoted to AIG in March 2025, is expected to succeed Egbetokun, who was appointed IGP on June 19, 2023. Egbetokun’s tenure had been under scrutiny after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September 2024, though his stay was extended following amendments to the Police Act.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Egbetokun cited pressing family matters in his resignation letter submitted on Tuesday. Sources, however, revealed that the former IGP was asked to step down during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday evening.
President Tinubu accepted the resignation and appointed Disu as acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect. A statement from the Presidency emphasized Disu’s operational experience and leadership capacity, noting that his formal confirmation as substantive IGP will follow a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council and Senate approval in line with the Police Act 2020.
Disu previously served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos and headed the Special Protection Unit at Force Headquarters, Abuja. He has also served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State, and led the Intelligence Response Team and Rapid Response Squad in Lagos.
The appointment is expected to trigger the resignation of some senior officers in line with police tradition, potentially affecting 15 to 20 officers, including Deputy Inspectors-General who are senior to Disu. This reshuffle will create opportunities for junior officers and Commissioners of Police to move up the ranks.
Retired police officials have expressed support for Disu’s appointment, emphasizing adherence to Force tradition and the importance of maintaining discipline. Ali Amodu, a former AIG, noted that senior officers would likely resign to allow the new IG to form his management team, while Wilson Inalegwu described the leadership change as an opportunity to inject fresh ideas into the police force.
Other retired officers, including Adedayo Adeoye and Lawrence Alobi, highlighted the need for administrative order and discipline, stressing that the DIGs should make way for the acting IG to assemble his team. They also expressed confidence in Disu’s capability to lead the Nigeria Police Force effectively, particularly given the current security challenges facing the country.
