Nigeria’s police leadership saw a sudden change on Monday as Kayode Egbetokun resigned from his post as Inspector-General of Police. The Presidency confirmed that Egbetokun cited family matters requiring his undivided attention as the reason for stepping down, though multiple sources indicate that the resignation followed a direct request from President Bola Tinubu during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.
ENigeria Newspaper gathered that security officials described the scene at the Villa as Egbetokun arrived at the Villa after he was specifically summoned by the President.
After the meeting, he departed the State House with his vehicle inspected by DSS operatives.
Egbetokun’s tenure as IGP, which began on June 19, 2023, was marked by rising public scrutiny over Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation. Waves of kidnappings, banditry, and terrorist attacks across multiple states put intense pressure on the police force. Notable incidents included the abduction of nearly 300 students from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State in November 2025, mass killings in Kwara communities in February 2026, and ongoing kidnappings along major highways.
During Monday’s Iftar, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of security for national prosperity.
He said, “Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace. We will establish state police to curb insecurity.”
The development underscores the administration’s focus on law enforcement reforms in the face of the country’s rising security challenges.
Before his appointment as IGP, Egbetokun served as Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Force Criminal Investigations Department. He succeeded Usman Alkali Baba, whose term ended in September 2023 following an extension granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The IGP’s resignation, confirmed in a letter citing family commitments, marks a critical juncture for Nigeria’s police leadership, leaving the task of navigating the nation’s complex security landscape to his successor.
