The Presidency has confirmed that Kayode Egbetokun has stepped down as the Inspector-General of Police.
According to the government, Egbetokun resigned, citing family matters that need his full attention.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, told PUNCH, “The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention.”
But several sources within the Presidency said Egbetokun was actually asked to leave during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday evening.
“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” a senior official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Punch correspondent saw the IGP’s official vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser with number plate NPF-01, arriving at the Villa forecourt around 6:40 pm on Monday.
Egbetokun, wearing his black police uniform without his cap, stepped out and briefly turned back to collect his notepad from an aide who handed it to him.
His arrival coincided with governors coming for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President, leaving some uncertain about why he was there.
However, another source confirmed that the IGP had been specifically summoned by the President that evening.
“He was called in. It wasn’t a routine visit,” the source said.
Security personnel told Punch that Egbetokun returned to the State House around 8:00 pm, and his vehicle was searched by DSS operatives.
Egbetokun, who became IGP on June 19, 2023, has faced growing criticism over worsening security in the country, including kidnappings, bandit attacks, and terrorism in several states.
High-profile incidents under his watch include the abduction of nearly 300 schoolchildren from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State in November 2025, mass killings in Kwara communities in February 2026, and frequent kidnappings along major highways.
During Monday’s Iftar with governors, President Tinubu promised that establishing state police to fight insecurity would not be delayed, saying, “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.”
Before becoming IGP, Egbetokun was Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department. He succeeded Usman Alkali Baba, whose tenure ended in September 2023 after a term extension granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention.
