By Peter Dansu Fresh details have emerged on the circumstances that led to the sudden exit of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Eg...
By Peter Dansu
Fresh details have emerged on the circumstances that led to the sudden exit of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, with multiple Presidency and police sources pointing to deep-seated disagreements with President Bola Tinubu over policy direction, internal conduct and security reforms report by Punch detailed.
Although Egbetokun cited “family issues” in his resignation letter on Tuesday, insiders disclosed that the former police chief was summoned to the Presidential Villa on Monday evening and informed that he had to step down.
According to highly placed sources who spoke on condition of anonymity to our source, the decision was not abrupt but the culmination of three major grievances that had built up over months.
Clash Over Withdrawal of Police from VIP Protection
The most immediate trigger, sources said, was Egbetokun’s handling of the November 23, 2025 presidential directive ordering the withdrawal of more than 11,000 police officers from Very Important Personalities protection duties for redeployment to communities battling kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.
An official familiar with the matter revealed that the former IGP resisted the directive and even argued against it during a security meeting with the President. Egbetokun reportedly maintained that business leaders and corporate executives required police protection due to their importance to the economy.
However, Tinubu was said to have rejected the argument, insisting that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was capable of providing adequate protection for private individuals, while the police focused on frontline security challenges.
“The President made it clear that the order was non-negotiable,” a source said, adding that Tinubu reiterated the directive during a Federal Executive Council meeting on December 10, 2025. He also directed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the police and civil defence to ensure full compliance, alongside the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Department of State Services.
Presidency insiders further disclosed that the VIP protection arrangement generated over N300 billion annually for the police through payments made by individuals and corporate bodies for deployed officers. The President’s directive, they said, disrupted a long-standing revenue stream within the police establishment, fueling quiet resistance.
Reports also indicated that some officers allegedly attempted to circumvent the order by operating in mufti or disguising in other security uniforms to continue VIP assignments.
Opposition to State Police Reform
The second major issue was Egbetokun’s alleged opposition to the proposed creation of state police, a reform strongly championed by Tinubu as part of efforts to tackle insecurity nationwide.
State policing is currently undergoing constitutional amendment processes at the National Assembly. However, sources revealed that the former IGP presented a memorandum at a public hearing expressing reservations about the proposal, a move interpreted within the Presidency as open resistance to the administration’s policy direction.
“How can you publicly argue against what your Commander-in-Chief is pushing?” a source queried.
The timing of his exit was also seen as symbolic. Just hours after Egbetokun was summoned to the Villa, Tinubu reportedly assured state governors during an interfaith Iftar that state police would not be postponed, stressing that insecurity continued to threaten agriculture, business growth and community safety.
Alleged Vindictive Conduct Toward Colleagues
The third grievance centered on Egbetokun’s relationship with senior colleagues, particularly Olatunji Disu, who has since been appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police.
Both men served under Tinubu during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. Egbetokun was Chief Security Officer while Disu served as Aide-De-Camp.
Sources within the Presidency alleged that the President was displeased with what he viewed as the former IGP’s use of power against colleagues who shared the same professional journey and benefitted from the same political mentorship.
One insider claimed that Egbetokun had hoped Disu would quietly retire upon attaining the age of 60 in April 2026, effectively eliminating him from contention without formal confrontation. However, the Police Act amendment signed in 2024 guarantees a four-year tenure for any appointed IGP, a provision that reshaped succession calculations.
Tinubu, who appointed Egbetokun as the 22nd IGP on June 19, 2023, was said to have played a significant role in his rapid career progression, including lobbying for key promotions during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Egbetokun had succeeded Alkali Baba and was originally expected to serve until October 2027 following the 2024 amendment to the Police Act granting IGPs a fixed four-year tenure irrespective of age.
His successor, Disu, currently serves in acting capacity pending deliberation by the Nigeria Police Council, which is expected to meet soon to consider his confirmation before his name is forwarded to the Senate in line with the Police Act 2020.
With his removal, observers say the development underscores Tinubu’s determination to push through key security reforms and assert firm control over the nation’s security architecture, even at the highest levels.
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