IGP Egbetokun Resigns, Presidency SA Confirms

The Presidency has officially confirmed the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police, citing personal reasons for his departure.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a response to inquiries on Tuesday.

“The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention,” Onanuga stated.

However, multiple sources within the Presidency offered a different account of events, revealing that Egbetokun was actually asked to step down during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening.

“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” a highly placed official told our correspondent, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Observations at the Presidential Villa showed the IGP’s official Toyota Land Cruiser with number plate NPF-01 parked at the forecourt around 6:40 pm on Monday. Egbetokun, dressed in his black uniform without his cap, was seen alighting from the vehicle and requesting his notepad from an aide.

His arrival coincided with governors gathering for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President, initially creating uncertainty about the nature of his visit. But a Villa source confirmed the IGP was specifically summoned.

“He was called in. It wasn’t a routine visit,” the source stated.

Security sources further confided that Egbetokun returned to the State House around 8:00 pm, with his vehicle subjected to search by DSS operatives at the Villa gate.

Egbetokun’s departure comes amid mounting criticism over the nation’s worsening security situation. His tenure witnessed a surge in kidnappings, banditry, and terrorist attacks across multiple states, including the abduction of nearly 300 schoolchildren from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State in November 2025 and mass killings in Kwara State communities in February 2026.

The development also follows President Tinubu’s pledge during Monday’s Iftar with governors to establish state police as part of efforts to tackle insecurity.

“Security is the foundation of prosperity. Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace. We will establish state police to curb insecurity,” Tinubu had declared.

Egbetokun was appointed IGP on June 19, 2023, succeeding Usman Alkali Baba. His tenure had been extended following an amendment to the Police Act after he attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 in September 2024.

Before his appointment, he served as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.