By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
RESIGNATION been submitted by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that Presidency sources said the President had advised Egbetokun to step down on Monday night.
He was said to have submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday morning as the leadership change, confirmed by presidency sources, marks the end of his tenure as the nation’s 22nd police chief.
His Career Timeline:
Egbetokun was appointed on June 19, 2023, to replace Usman Baba and was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC) in October 2023. His tenure began in June 2023 while the Police Act 2020 was in operation.
In July 2024, the National Assembly (NASS) passed a bill amending the Police Act 2020 to allow the IGP to remain in office “until the end of the term stipulated in his appointment letter”. Section 7 of the Act provides that the person appointed to the office of the IGP shall hold office for four years.
Although he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September 2024, he remained in office under the amended Police Act of 2024, which allows an IGP to serve a fixed four year term regardless of age or years of service.
He was scheduled to serve until 2027. The development sparked controversy over the tenure extension granted to him, with protests and complaints from various quarters.
Disu Steps In
JKNewsMedia.com also reports that promptly, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Olatunji Disu has been appointed as his successor.
Disu, born on April 13, 1966, most recently served as Assistant Inspector General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
Also, he previously headed the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos and also served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State.
In 2021, he was appointed to lead the Intelligence Response Team following the suspension of its former head, Abba Kyari.
He has also served as acting Chief of Staff for the African Union Mission in Sudan in Darfur, where he led the first Nigerian Police contingent.
