Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigeria’s federal leadership confirmed on Tuesday that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the resignation of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and is positioning Assistant Inspector-General Tunji Disu to take over as the country’s new police chief. The development represents one of the most significant shifts in the upper ranks of Nigeria’s security command in recent years and comes amid continuing debates over the role of police leadership in national stability ahead of critical political and security timelines. The transition, reported by multiple national media, is ongoing and, at the time of reporting, had not been officially confirmed in a public statement by the presidency or the Nigeria Police Force.
According to informed sources within the presidency and senior police officials, Egbetokun was asked to step down during a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. Following that meeting, Egbetokun has reportedly been instructed to prepare handover notes ahead of a formal transfer of authority to Disu, who currently oversees the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
The reported change was confirmed independently by several national outlets, each citing multiple sources close to the presidency and police leadership. One outlet stated that the confirmation of Disu’s appointment had been “double confirmed” by presidency sources ahead of any official press release.
Kayode Egbetokun, a career police officer, was appointed as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu. His appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council later that year. Egbetokun’s tenure was the subject of national debate, largely because he assumed office at age 58 and raised questions about the statutory police retirement age then in force. Amendments to the Police Act passed by the National Assembly in 2024 created a single four-year tenure for an IGP irrespective of age, enabling Egbetokun to remain in office beyond the earlier mandatory retirement threshold.
Across political and civil society discourse, Egbetokun’s leadership drew criticism on several fronts. Some advocacy groups and commentators accused the police under his command of rights violations during security operations and mass protests, and of slow response times in parts of the country facing armed violence and criminal insurgency. Others, including political opponents, challenged the propriety of his tenure extension on constitutional and governance grounds. Although the Police Service Commission clarified in early 2025 that it had no authority to appoint or remove an IGP — a function constitutionally vested in the president with Police Council advice — the debate persisted.
Tunji Disu, Egbetokun’s reported successor, is a senior police officer with a long service record across Nigeria’s security apparatus. Before his recent posting to the Lagos Force CID Annex, Disu held prominent commands including leadership of the Intelligence Response Team and Lagos State’s Rapid Response Squad, and served as Commissioner of Police in both the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State. Observers note that his operational background and leadership in key investigative and tactical units may reflect the administration’s desire to prioritise crime prevention and intelligence-led policing.
The transition unfolds against a broader context of security challenges that have exerted pressure on Nigeria’s policing institutions. Parts of the country continue to grapple with insurgency, banditry, communal clashes and organised crime, even as authorities have pledged reforms and enhancements to law enforcement capacity. Calls for institutional reform extend beyond leadership changes, with advocates urging strengthened accountability, increased resources for frontline policing and deeper engagement with community safety mechanisms.
Government insiders and political analysts suggest President Tinubu’s decision may be part of broader adjustments designed to recalibrate security leadership ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The move follows a series of administrative shifts and discussions within the federal security architecture as the country seeks to demonstrate capacity and readiness in addressing both political and security imperatives.
As of this writing, neither the presidency nor the Nigeria Police Force has issued a formal public notification announcing Egbetokun’s removal or Disu’s appointment. Senior police spokespersons and government representatives had not responded to repeated requests for confirmation by press deadline. The reported plan for a formal handover ceremony at Force Headquarters in Abuja remains pending official scheduling.
Reactions to the news have been mixed, with some political figures and commentators welcoming the leadership shift as overdue, and others cautioning that leadership changes alone will not address systemic policing challenges. Civil rights groups, while noting the importance of accountability at the top of the police hierarchy, have reiterated calls for comprehensive reforms that include training, oversight, and community engagement to rebuild public trust. Analysts also highlight the significance of the timing, noting that adjustments to the leadership of Nigeria’s largest security institution often reflect wider strategic goals within government and may signal policy shifts under way at the federal level.
The unfolding developments are likely to be closely watched within Nigeria and by international partners interested in the country’s stability and governance trajectory. As the situation evolves, formal confirmation from official government channels and the Nigeria Police Force will be critical in clarifying the status of the leadership change and its implications for policing operations nationwide.
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