According to a report by The Punch, the Presidency has confirmed that Kayode Egbetokun has resigned from his position as Inspector-General of Police, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to Onanuga, Egbetokun formally stepped down from office, citing pressing family matters that require his immediate and undivided attention.
In a brief statement, the presidential aide explained that the former police chief submitted his resignation letter earlier in the day, pointing to personal obligations as the reason for his decision to relinquish the role.
However, developments surrounding his exit have fueled speculation within political and security circles. Sources within the Presidential Villa indicated that Egbetokun was invited to a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday evening.
It was during this meeting, insiders claim, that discussions were held regarding the future leadership of the police force.
Observers reported seeing the official vehicle of the Inspector-General at the State House at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Monday, around the same time President Tinubu hosted state governors for an interfaith breaking of fast (Iftar). Witness accounts suggested that Egbetokun arrived in full uniform but without his cap as he proceeded swiftly into the meeting venue.
Although the Presidency has maintained that the resignation was voluntary and based on personal considerations, the timing has drawn attention given the mounting security challenges across the country.
Egbetokun, who was appointed Inspector-General in June 2023, assumed office during a period marked by complex security threats.
His tenure witnessed several high-profile incidents that intensified public concern over safety nationwide. Among them were the abduction of hundreds of schoolchildren in Niger State and reports of deadly attacks in parts of Kwara State.
These incidents amplified calls from various quarters for a comprehensive reassessment of Nigeria’s security framework.
During the interfaith Iftar with governors on Monday, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s security architecture. He emphasized that security remains the bedrock of economic growth and national stability, adding that decisive measures would be taken to protect citizens and restore public confidence.
The President also referenced ongoing discussions around the establishment of state police, a reform long debated in Nigeria’s political space. Advocates argue that decentralizing policing could enhance responsiveness and improve local intelligence gathering, while critics have raised concerns about potential misuse by state authorities.
Egbetokun, who previously served as head of the Force Criminal Investigations Department before his elevation to Inspector-General, exits at a time when the federal government is signaling broader reforms within the security sector.
With his resignation now confirmed, attention is expected to shift to the process of appointing and transitioning to new leadership…..See More
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